Many students who complete an EPQ as part of their A-Level studies could be getting extra recognition for their work by applying for a Gold CREST Award.
CREST awards are globally recognized awards which celebrate independent student led research projects. They’re a great way to demonstrate your work and skills, with a great certificate too!
There’s a lot of similarity between the EPQ and CREST Gold. Both involve extended independent research into a student’s chosen topic. Here are the easy steps toward entering an EPQ for a CREST award.
1. Read the CREST Criteria
CREST award projects are assessed by our assessors who look to see if a project meets enough of the CREST criteria to be awarded. Please read through the CREST criteria to make sure that you’re familiar with them and how to show them in your work/your students work.
2. Students adjust work to meet the criteria.
EPQs are very similar to CREST projects in that they are both extended pieces of research work. However, CREST projects are assessed based on our criteria, so students need to show these. Students should adjust their EPQ work to very clearly meet each of the CREST criteria. The overall submission style can remain the same but students may need to include extra details that aren’t required for an EPQ. Students must also fill in a student profile form to go with their submission. This will allow them to clearly show where they’ve met the criteria and provide further reflections.
3. Apply online
Now your work is complete, create an account at apply.crestawards.org. The application form can be completed by students themselves, or by a parent or teacher. Entrants will have to fill in information about their school (if applicable) and their project and upload the project work. Students can apply for a CREST award independently without a school so don’t worry about these boxes in the application if they don't apply. You will also have to provide information for you to pay the award.
Once you have submitted your application and paid the award fee, your project will be sent to one of our assessors to be assessed.
4. Wait for the project assessment
We aim for projects to be assessed within 2-4 weeks of payment. You will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible and if the award has been achieved, the CREST award certificate with be sent to the address on the application.
If you have any questions about adapting EPQ project work for a CREST award, or about CREST awards in general, please get in touch at crest@britishscienceassociation.org
Good Luck with your project!
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