Guide to A Level Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
An EPQ is a great way to boost your UCAS points and teaches you skills that you might not get from your usual A Level choices. It requires a high level of independent study and gives you the opportunity to explore a topic of your choice, making it a great, flexible qualification. Please read on to find out more on how it is graded, what universities think of them, topic examples and guidance on how to prepare.
What is EPQ?
EPQ stands for Extended Project Qualification, it is a level three qualification and can earn you between 8 and 28 UCAS points, depending on which grade you get. As a result, it equated to roughly half an A Level and is often taken alongside them. While completing your EPQ, you will be asked to write a 5,000 word essay on a subject of your choice, giving you a degree of flexibility that reaches beyond the scope of your A Levels. You do not even have to complete a long-essay if a more creative pathway such as a performance, artwork, or film has more of an appeal to you. Another element of this qualification is the presentation. For this you will need to prepare a 10-15 minute talk about your subject, many students use a powerpoint to aid them in this effort.
How does it work?
After deciding to take an EPQ, you will be assigned a supervisor (often a teacher at your school) who will help you through the process. They might ask you questions which further your investigations, offer tips and guidance where appropriate and, crucially, make sure that you stick to deadlines.
In the early stages, you will conduct structured research, seeking both primary and secondary sources and documenting your findings. Each aspect of your research is also marked as well as your final project, so it is important you stay organised and articulate your findings in a journal or database as you go.
When you have decided on your topic, you can crack on with the essay or project. This makes up the largest percentage of your grade and is supposed to be the summation of everything you’ve done so far. Referencing is also required and you will be penalised for failing to do this. If you have not yet completed any coursework for your other subjects, it is likely that you have not become accustomed to the joys of referencing yet, but don’t worry your supervisor can help you with this and there are plenty of tutorials online that can be of use too.
At the end you will deliver a 10-15 minute presentation, evaluating your findings. The presentation will also be graded and will impact your final result, so devote ample time and attention to it.
After this you will hand in all your research and final project and your EPQ will be submitted for grading.
Why do an EPQ?
If you are planning on applying to university, taking an EPQ on top of your A Levels is a very sensible idea. It shows admissions teams that you have interests and passions outside of academic studies and can be a great thing to mention in your personal statement when it comes to your UCAS application. Furthermore, to do well in this qualification, you need to be able to effectively manage your time and have a high level of independence – qualities that are especially looked for by university admissions teams.
How to choose an EPQ?
Before deciding to take an EPQ, first consider whether you will be able to manage the workload alongside your A Level and extra-curricular activities. It is possible to take this qualification if you are also doing three or even four A-Levels, but if you think it will take a disproportionate amount of time away from them then an EPQ may not be for you – it really depends on how well you can manage your time. Remember, the extended project is only worth half of an A-level so it should not overwhelm your focus for a prolonged amount of time. Another aspect to consider is the extent to which it supports your future goals. For example, if you are not planning on going into further education, then there aren’t so many advantages to taking an EPQ so it may be more worthwhile to focus on doing the best you can in your core subjects.
How to find a topic?
The unlimited choice you have when it comes to deciding what topic you choose can be daunting, or overwhelming. But break it down. Begin by identifying your broad interests in a list or mind map then get more specific until you find a subject that you know you’ll be able to write about at length. A 5,000 word essay is no mean feat, so choose something that you are truly interested in, not just a title that you think will look good on your personal statement.
Your title should be open ended, this means that it cannot be limited to a finite answer – it must leave room for debate. For example, a question such as “Is the Earth round?” can be answered factually and would not allow a student to have a reasoned academic argument within their work. A better question would be “To what extent does social media contribute to the flat Earth movement?” By starting the question with “To what extent” you are encouraged to give a measured evaluation which means that you can also tie in the source material that you have found.
Other command words and phrases that make great essay titles include:
- Evaluate: “Evaluate the impact of conspiracy theories like the flat Earth belief on public understanding of science.”
- Discuss: “Discuss the reasons behind the continued belief in the flat Earth theory in the 21st century.”
- Analyse: “Analyse the psychological factors that contribute to belief in the flat Earth theory.”
- Assess: “Assess the role of education in preventing the spread of flat Earth beliefs.”
- Compare and contrast: “Compare and contrast the responses of governments and educational institutions to the anti-vaccine movement and climate change denial.”
It is a good idea to come up with a couple of polished essay titles that interest you and write a list of pros and cons to each one. This will help you to make the most informed decision and one that you are happy with throughout the process.
How is it graded?
The EPQ is graded in a similar way to your A Levels – from A* to E. Your planning, research, presentation and final project are all individual assessment objectives (AOs) and are equal to differing percentages of your final grade.
AO1: Manage
This is essentially the planning stage of your project and makes up 20% of your overall grade
AO2: Use Resources
This pertains to the research of your work, how you analyse and log the sources that you use. It also makes up 20% of your grade
AO3: Develop and Realise
This is the main section of your EPQ, your long-essay, performance, film, or artwork. It contributes to 40% of your grade.
AO4: Review
This is your presentation in which you will describe your findings and suggest areas for further study. It makes up another 20% of your grade.
You may find the following links taken from exam board specifications useful:
Edexcel’s P301 Assessment Guidance
How to prepare for the EPQ?
The best way to prepare for embarking on your EPQ is to read widely around subjects that interest you. This can be done online, seeking articles or essays which offer opinions and perspectives. The Conversation is a great, free resource that publishes articles penned by scholars, academics and experts on a wide range of topics. Search keywords and see what comes up to begin thinking about what you could do your own work on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EPQ in A levels?
An EPQ is worth approximately half an A-Level – that’s 8-28 UCAS points.
Is it worth doing an EPQ at a level?
Yes, if you have a subject area that you are passionate about and what to do further study on, then you will find an EPQ incredibly rewarding. On a practical level, this qualification demonstrates that you have skills such as organisation and time management that are highly sought after by universities. Furthermore, if you do not do so well in your exams, an EPQ is coursework based so may be a good opportunity to boost your UCAS points.
How hard is it to get an A in EPQ?
An EPQ demands a lot of time and attention, you must diligently record each part of your planning and research in order to create a well-thought-out final piece which you are confident in and that you can evaluate with flair in your final presentation. It is not an easy qualification, but with the right help, it will be enjoyable and rewarding.
Do universities prefer EPQ?
Whether you do or do not take an EPQ will not seriously impact your UCAS application; however, scoring a good grade in it will enhance your portfolio and give you an extra boost that, in some cases, will encourage certain universities to lower their A-Level requirements.
How Simply Learning Tuition can help
Simply Learning Tuition provides expert guidance for students working on their EPQ. Our specialist tutors offer tailored support to help students refine their research, develop strong project ideas, and hone their critical thinking and essay-writing skills. With a carefully matched tutor, each student receives a personalized approach designed to maximize their potential and ensure they meet their EPQ goals. Contact us today to take the next step toward EPQ success.
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