The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a Level 3 Advanced qualification, which is highly regarded by many universities. It is an independent research project completed during Y12. The choice of topic is entirely up to you: it can be an extension of your A Level studies or an area of personal interest outside your studies.

For example, if you study A Level Biology you may wish to extend the genetics module by looking into the religious impact of screening for genetic diseases. If you study A Level Economics, you might develop your knowledge of microeconomics by exploring how financial developments in football have altered the game during the 20th century. Alternatively, if you are passionate about ethical treatment of animals and are interested in a career as a vet, you might examine the impact of zoos on animal conservation. If you are a keen environmentalist, you might research the effects of fracking on pollution.

With appropriate supervision, you will:

• choose an area of interest;
• draft a title and aims of your project for formal approval by school;
• plan, research and carry out your project;
• deliver a presentation to your peers;
• provide evidence of all stages of project development and production

EPQ is an independent research project, which should take approximately 120 hours to complete. Within these hours, you will take part in a programme of Taught Skills, which will help equip you with the skills you need to complete the project, such as research methods, academic writing and referencing. You will also have timetabled lessons which take place in the ‘Co-Curricular’ slot, with an EPQ Supervisor who will help guide you through the process. The bulk of the work will be done independently.