The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) offers you a unique opportunity to develop essential skills for higher education and the workplace in a subject area of your own choice. It gives you more control over your studies than ever before. Essentially the EPQ is a personal project that is devised and managed by the student. The qualification is well respected by universities.

Students studying three or four A Levels will be expected to have a minimum of six GCSEs at grade 7, 8 or 9 including English Language and Mathematics at grade 6 or above. 

You will produce either a 5000 word report, record the process involved and perform a presentation, or submit an artefact, a 1000 word report, record the process involved and perform a presentation. The artefact can be anything on the lines of a musical piece, a model, painting or a sculpture.

At the start of the project you will be given help and advice on setting a suitable title and will be taught the skills required to help you complete a piece of independent research. You will be asked to think of what you are interested in. This could be a university degree choice, a career aspiration, a hobby or an area of interest to you outside of your studies. It is really up to you and your area of interest. This level of choice and flexibility means you are engaged and motivated and gain valuable research and project management skills along the way. 

The project is excellent preparation for university study. Many universities regard the EPQ as a clear demonstration of a student’s readiness for undergraduate study and it also demonstrates that you have the necessary skills to carry out an independent report to a high standard. The course combines extremely well with most subjects and students often take this as a fourth option along with three A Levels. It offers you the opportunity to explore in-depth an aspect of a subject you are studying or a topic in which you have a personal interest. In the past, students have undertaken a wide range of projects including: the impact of global warming, the ethics involved in stem cell research, how far should prisoners be punished to the philosophy of Japanese Manga.

The report will be submitted by the Spring term and is externally moderated.

Exam Board: AQA

There are opportunities to have an input on data analysis and data collection.

The majority of students on this course are also part of The Sixth Form’s Honours Programme which helps to provide the development skills set and experience required to progress on to the best and most prestigious universities.

This qualification is well regarded by Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities.

You will experience outstanding teaching, and extensive support to ensure you reach your potential. The Extended Project Qualification also attracts 28 additional UCAS points.