Extended Project Qualification Level 3

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) allows you to extend your abilities beyond the A Level syllabus and prepare for university or your future career. If you are passionate about a topic and wish to explore it in detail, the EPQ will provide you with an opportunity to do so. It is the equivalent of an AS. It is a highly prestigious qualification which many students aspire to complete and is offered by all the top sixth form colleges.

The EPQ allows you to choose an academic area of interest (not covered in the specification of your other courses) and carry out a research project. You will record your journey, explain your process, outline your thoughts, carry out in-depth research and expand on your decision-making, culminating in a final report and presentation of your findings.

You can take inspiration from any academic area you are interested in. For example, economics, philosophy, theatre, sports and fitness, music, psychology, fashion, climate change, history, or politics – there is no limit to your chosen area of interest.

You will have a supervisor who will guide you through this process but are otherwise expected to work independently. You need to be very self-motivated and passionate about your project’s focus. You need to be able to organise your time and meet deadlines.

You will be assessed on your performance during the process of research (keeping a progress log) in addition to a final presentation and the finished product (essay or artefact).

Students who usually study the EPQ will be selected on the strength of their GCSE qualifications. This course is taken alongside 3 A Levels so students should have GCSEs at 6 and above.

The EPQ is a highly regarded qualification and universities welcome students who have completed it. It will impress any future employer too, as it demonstrates independent thinking skills, time management and working to deadlines.