Description: Dissecting the EPQ
An Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an independent research project that you could undertake in year 12 or year 12 and 13. It amounts to an AS, (half an A Level), worth of UCAS points so it could help you get into University, but it takes a considerable amount of work.
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The types of EPQ
There are several types of EPQ. The most common is a research project which involves writing a dissertation of usually around 5,000 words. Other types involve putting on an event like a charity fundraiser, performance or making something such as a piece of art, creative writing or a modell. The alternatives to a dissertation require a 1,000 word report. The final stage is a 10-15 minute presentation to a group of non-specialists about your topic.
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How is it marked?
EPQs are offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC, and although the marking schemes vary, this is a general guide to the grading breakdown:
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20% – Project planning and time management: how you use the time and resources available
20% – Using resources and research skills: how you collect and use information
40% – Developing an idea and producing an outcome: how you plan and create the project outcome
20% – Evaluation and presentation: your reflection on the project process and communication of the project to others
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A heavy focus is placed on how you manage, plan and reflect on your project, rather than just the content of the final piece. To evidence how you managed it, you’ll have to write in a log book throughout the project, detailing what you did and why.
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Can it help you receive university offers?
EPQs are a great way to show top universities that you have the skills and drive to succeed in your subject. They are brilliant for personal statements. The largest paragraph in my personal statement was on my EPQ. Personal statements require some research anyway, so EPQs can give you a qualification out of the research you already have to do.
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However, EPQs aren’t the only way to impress universities. Online courses or work experience can be just as useful while being considerably less time consuming.
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Can they help you meet your offers?
EPQs are worth UCAS points so they can help you to meet a points based offer. Some universities have lower offers for those that have achieved a certain grade in their EPQ. Others may let you in if you narrowly miss your offer but have an EPQ. But, this might not be worth it because of the considerable time that an EPQ takes.
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In doing an EPQ you are essentially diluting your efforts across four subjects, rather than concentrating on three. There’s a reason schools won’t let people with weaker A Level grades do EPQs. Ultimately, while an EPQ probably won’t help you meet your offer, it may increase your chance of receiving one at a top university.
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However, a 2016 analysis by Cambridge Assessment shows that after controlling for prior attainment and other contextual factors taking an EPQ has a small but statistically significant positive effect on average A Level results.
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University preparation
Aside from genuinely enjoying the research, the main reason I did my EPQ was to practice for the independent study required at university. This is because as an EPQ student, you have a supervisor rather than a teacher, so you have to plan and do everything yourself. Doing this teaches you about time and project management. It made me read academic papers, learn how to cite them and to consider their utility and reliability. It made me construct and clearly communicate an argument that navigates through a complex field.
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The process was very challenging, but, my enjoyment and completion of the project affirmed to me that I wanted to and was capable of succeeding in studying philosophy at University. Overall, it’s great preparation for studying an essay based subject at university.
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An EPQ is also a great way to prove to potential employers that you are independent, self motivated and are good at organising projects and managing your time.
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Is it hard?
This obviously depends on your field. I found my dissertation of the philosophy of time very difficult. I was left alone to understand a complex and seemingly impenetrable field. But, the challenge of it made it all the more rewarding when I finally cracked it. There’s a reason why EPQs have a high dropout rate and why schools may not let you do one if your grades aren’t up to scratch. To get through it, you need to pick a topic that you genuinely enjoy and probably would have researched anyway.
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But the challenging nature of the EPQ is why it’s so valuable; it shows universities and employers that you have initiative, independence and organisational skills.
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For me, the benefits are in getting into and to preparing to study an essay based subject at university. The downsides are in it’s very time consuming and challenging nature.