Extended Project Qualification

Entry Requirements

The EPQ is open to all students in the Sixth. It is an optional course that runs from November in Year 12 to November in Year 13. In recent years, between 60 and 90 students have chosen to complete an EPQ in addition to their A Levels.

Course Content

The best thing about the EPQ is that you decide what you want to do! To complete an EPQ, you must design, research and produce a project, in any format, on any topic. Your choice will fall into one of four categories: a dissertation, an investigation, a performance or an artefact.

Your final report will be between 3000 words (for artefacts and performances) and 6000 words (for dissertations and investigations), and you must also keep a record of your activities, so it’s a major undertaking. To support you, you will attend a course of talks and you will have a supervisor, whom you will meet regularly to discuss your progress.

Once you have finished your report, the final challenge is to deliver a short presentation – a great way to round off all your hard work.

Learn all about how to study independently Choose your topic and agree a title Track carefully everything you do as research Write it all up/produce it and make a presentation

Why Choose the EPQ?

Firstly, the EPQ develops the skills students need to thrive at university and beyond: planning, project management, research, extended writing and public speaking, to name but a few.

Secondly, the EPQ requires you to study and work independently, a key requirement for university life. Although you get some support, there is no ‘teacher’ to set homework or tell you what to read. Success in the EPQ proves you are organised, motivated and ready to strike out confidently on your own.

Finally, universities and employers want students with these qualities. By referring to the EPQ when you apply, you make yourself more attractive to the places you want to study.

What’s it Worth?

Apart from the skills above, it is worth half an A Level in terms of UCAS points. Universities support the EPQ, so completing one may increase your chances of getting offers. Some courses at some universities may even lower your offer, as you can see from the statement below. Bristol:

The University recognises that some A Level students may also choose to offer the Extended Project. In such cases, some admissions tutors may make two alternative offers, one of which involves success in the Extended Project (for example, either AAA at A Level or AAB at A Level plus Extended Project).

Cambridge:

We welcome the introduction of the Extended Project and would encourage you to undertake one as it will help you develop independent study and research skills and ease the transition from school/college to higher education.