What Is an EPQ? Guide to the Extended Project Qualification

Thinking about taking on an EPQ? Maybe you've heard older students talk about it, or your school has mentioned it as an option for Year 12. Either way, you're in the right place to find out exactly what this qualification is all about.

Let's break down everything you need to know about the Extended Project Qualification. We’ll go through what an EPQ is and how to tackle them.

Key Takeaways

• The EPQ is a standalone qualification where you research a topic you're passionate about to produce either a 5,000-word essay or an artefact with a 1,000-word report

• It's worth half an A Level and can earn you up to 28 UCAS points – some universities even lower their grade requirements if you achieve an A in your EPQ

• You'll develop brilliant independent research and project management skills that universities and employers absolutely love

• It takes about 120 hours of work spread across Year 12 and sometimes into Year 13, so time management is essential

What Is the Extended Project Qualification?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a Level 3 qualification that gives you the chance to dive deep into something you're genuinely interested in. Think of it as your opportunity to become an expert on a topic of your choice.

The EPQ puts you in the driver's seat. You pick the question, you conduct the research, and you present your findings. It's all about independent learning and showing universities (and yourself) that you can manage a big project from start to finish.

The EPQ is offered by exam boards including AQA (opens in a new tab), Edexcel (opens in a new tab) (Pearson), OCR (opens in a new tab), and WJEC (opens in a new tab). Most sixth forms and colleges in the UK offer it as an option alongside A Levels or BTEC qualifications.

Who Takes It? The EPQ is typically taken by Year 12 students, though some schools start it in Year 13. You'll usually begin in the autumn term of Year 12 and complete it by the summer, giving you plenty of time to juggle it with your other subjects.

What's It Worth? The EPQ is graded A* to E and carries UCAS points:

• A* = 28 UCAS points

• A = 24 UCAS points

• B = 20 UCAS points

• C = 16 UCAS points

• D = 12 UCAS points

• E = 8 UCAS points

To put that in perspective, an A at A Level is worth 48 UCAS points, so an EPQ is worth about half an A Level. Our article A Level Equivalents and Alternatives can tell you more.

What Does the EPQ Involve?

The EPQ isn't just about writing one massive essay and calling it a day. There are several components you'll need to complete:

Choosing Your Topic This is where it gets exciting. You can pick literally anything you're interested in, as long as it's:

• Suitable for academic research

• Different enough from your A Level subjects (though it can link to them)

• Something you can realistically complete in the time you have

Your topic needs to be framed as a question or hypothesis. For example, "To what extent did propaganda influence public opinion during World War II?" or "Can renewable energy fully replace fossil fuels by 2050?"

Conducting Research Once you've got your question, it's time to dive into research. You'll:

• Read academic sources, books, journals, and articles

• Evaluate the reliability and bias of your sources

• Keep detailed notes and references

• Think critically about different viewpoints

This is where your independent learning really kicks in. Your teacher (called your EPQ supervisor) will guide you, but the actual research is all down to you.

Writing Your Essay or Creating Your Artefact You've got two options here:

Option 1: Written Report Write a 5,000-word essay answering your research question. This is the most popular choice and works well if you enjoy academic writing.

Option 2: Artefact with Report Create a product, performance, or piece of work (like a short film, artwork, piece of music, or product design) and write a 1,000-word report explaining your process and findings.

Keeping a Production Log Throughout your EPQ, you'll maintain a log documenting:

• Your planning and time management

• Research sources and methods

• Problems you faced and how you solved them

• Reflections on what you've learned

Think of it as a diary of your project. It's not just busywork – the production log actually counts towards your final grade.

Giving a Presentation At the end of your EPQ, you'll present your findings to an audience (usually teachers and other students). The presentation typically lasts 10-15 minutes, followed by questions.

This is your chance to show off what you've learned and develop your communication skills. 

EPQ Assessment and Grading

Understanding how the EPQ is marked helps you know where to focus your efforts.

Assessment Objectives Your EPQ is marked against four main objectives:

AO1: Manage (20%) This looks at how well you planned and organised your project. Did you meet deadlines? Did you use your time effectively? Did you review your progress regularly?

Your production log is crucial here. Make sure you're recording your planning, showing how you've adapted when things didn't go as expected, and reflecting honestly on your process.

AO2: Use Resources (20%) This assesses your research skills. Have you used a range of appropriate sources? Have you evaluated them critically? Can you identify bias and reliability?

Quality matters more than quantity. It's better to use ten excellent, well-analysed sources than fifty you've barely engaged with.

AO3: Develop and Realise (40%) This is the big one – it's all about your actual project. For an essay, it means:

• How well you've answered your question

• The depth of your analysis

• The structure and coherence of your argument

• The quality of your writing

For an artefact, it looks at the quality of what you've produced and how well your report explains and justifies your work.

AO4: Review (20%) This examines your ability to reflect critically on your project. What went well? What would you do differently? What have you learned about yourself as a learner?

Your presentation is particularly important here, as it's your opportunity to demonstrate this reflective thinking.

Who Marks It? Your EPQ is initially marked by your teacher (who's been trained as an EPQ assessor). Then a sample of projects from your school is sent to an external moderator from the exam board who checks the marking is consistent and fair.

Types of EPQ Projects

Let's look at the two main types of EPQ you can do, with some real examples to inspire you.

Dissertation-Style Essay (5,000 words) This is by far the most popular option. You research a question and write an academic essay presenting your findings and argument.

Examples of essay-based EPQs:

• "How effective are current treatments for teenage mental health issues?"

• "To what extent was Shakespeare influenced by Christopher Marlowe?"

• "Should the UK adopt a Universal Basic Income system?"

• "How has social media changed political campaigning?"

• "What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering in humans?"

Essays work brilliantly if you're planning to study humanities, social sciences, or sciences at university because they prepare you for dissertation writing.

Artefact with Written Report (1,000 words) If you're more creative or practical, you might prefer making something. Your artefact could be:

Performance or Creative Work:

• A short film exploring mental health themes

• A photography exhibition on climate change

• An original musical composition

• A piece of choreography

• A one-act play

Product or Design:

• A prototype for a sustainable product

• An app or website

• An architectural model

• A business plan

• A scientific experiment or investigation

Your 1,000-word report needs to explain what you created, why you made the decisions you did, and what you learned from the process.

Examples of artefact-based EPQs:

• Creating a documentary about local history with a report analysing filmmaking techniques

• Designing and building a working model of a renewable energy device with a report evaluating its effectiveness

• Composing an original piece of music in Baroque style with a report discussing the musical theory behind it

Choosing the Right Topic

Picking your EPQ topic is almost as important as picking your A-levels. Here's how to choose wisely:

Follow Your Passion Seriously, pick something you actually care about. You're going to spend months researching this topic, so if it bores you now, imagine how you'll feel halfway through.

Link It to Your Future If you know what you want to study at university, choose a topic that connects to it. Want to study Medicine? Research something medical. Thinking about Law? Pick a legal or ethical question. This shows universities you're genuinely interested in the subject.

Make Sure It's Researchable Your topic needs to have enough academic sources available. "What's the best chocolate bar?" isn't going to work because there's no serious research on it. But "How does chocolate consumption affect cognitive function?" would.

Keep It Focused A common mistake is choosing something too broad. "The History of Medicine" is massive. "How did Florence Nightingale's innovations change surgical outcomes in the 19th century?" is much more manageable.

Check It's Different Enough Your EPQ should extend beyond your A Levels, not just repeat them. If you're studying History and writing about the Second World War in class, don't pick the exact same topic for your EPQ. Branch out a bit.

Examples Across Different Subjects:

• Sciences: "What are the most promising treatments for Alzheimer's disease?" or "How does microplastic pollution affect marine ecosystems?"

• Humanities: "Did the printing press cause the Protestant Reformation?" or "How has feminism been portrayed in 20th century literature?"

• Social Sciences: "What factors contribute to youth knife crime in London?" or "Is social media harmful to teenage mental health?"

• Creative: "How has hip-hop influenced political activism?" or "What makes a film psychologically terrifying?"

Our list of EPQ Topics by Subject can give you more ideas.

How the EPQ Helps with University Applications

This is where the EPQ really proves its worth. Universities love seeing an EPQ on your application, and here's why:

It demonstrates independent learning. University is all about managing your own learning. The EPQ shows admissions tutors you can work independently, manage your time, and complete a big project without constant hand-holding.

It provides interview material. If you've got a university interview, your EPQ is golden conversation material. You can talk confidently about something you've researched in depth, showing your intellectual curiosity and knowledge.

It can lower entry requirements. Some universities offer reduced grade requirements if you achieve a certain grade in your EPQ. For example, they might offer AAB instead of AAA if you get an A in your EPQ.

Always check individual university websites, as policies vary by course and year.

It adds UCAS points. Even if a university doesn't offer reduced grades, your EPQ still contributes valuable UCAS points. 

It strengthens your personal statement. Your personal statement has a 4,000-character limit, and finding unique things to write about is tough. Your EPQ gives you loads of material. You can discuss what sparked your interest, what you discovered, and how it's confirmed your passion for your chosen subject.

It shows subject knowledge. If your EPQ topic links to your degree choice, it proves you've already started engaging with university-level thinking. This is particularly valuable for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, or Oxbridge applications.

Is the EPQ Worth It? Pros and Cons

The EPQ is a big commitment. Here's a balanced look at whether it's right for you.

The Benefits

• University recognition. As we've discussed, universities genuinely value the EPQ.

• Develop transferable skills. You'll learn project management, time management, research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing. 

• Explore your interests. How often do you get to spend months researching something you're genuinely passionate about? 

• Prepare for university. The independent research and essay writing mirrors what you'll do at university. 

• Stand out from the crowd. Not everyone does an EPQ, so having one on your UCAS application helps you stand out from other candidates.

The Challenges

• Time commitment. The EPQ requires approximately 120 hours of work. That's a lot when you're also juggling A Levels, part-time jobs, extracurriculars, and having a social life.

• It's self-directed. If you struggle with motivation or need lots of structure, the independent nature of the EPQ might feel overwhelming. 

• It won't rescue poor A Level grades. If you're predicted three Cs, getting an A* in your EPQ won't suddenly get you into Oxford. Your A Levels still matter most.

• Not all universities care equally. While many universities value the EPQ, some don't give it much weight. 

• It can feel lonely. Unlike A Levels where you're learning alongside classmates, the EPQ can feel isolating.

In the end, it will be a personal choice. As a private tutor, I have helped students work through all sorts of EPQ projects. Some of them really enjoyed it and others less so, but they all found it a valuable experience.

Tips for Succeeding in Your EPQ

Want to make your EPQ journey smoother? Here's some practical advice:

Start early and plan properly. 

Don't leave everything until the last minute. Create a realistic timeline with milestones for completing different stages. Build in buffer time for when things inevitably take longer than expected.

Choose a topic you actually care about. 

This can't be stressed enough. You'll be living with this topic for months, so pick something that genuinely interests you.

Keep your production log updated. 

It's tempting to neglect this, but your log is worth 20% of your grade. Set aside time each week to update it properly, documenting your research, reflections, and progress.

Use a variety of sources. 

Don't just rely on Google and Wikipedia. Use academic journals, books, interviews, documentaries, and primary sources. Your school library and databases like JSTOR are goldmines.

Stay in touch with your supervisor. 

Your supervisor is there to help, but they won't chase you. Book regular meetings, come prepared with questions, and actually listen to their feedback.

Don't try to be perfect.

Your EPQ doesn't need to solve world hunger or discover a cure for cancer. It needs to show you can research, analyse, and present findings effectively. Aim for solid academic work, not perfection.

Reference everything properly. 

Get into the habit of noting down sources as you go. Trying to find sources again at the end is a nightmare. Learn how to use Harvard or whatever referencing system your school uses.

Draft, draft, draft.

Don't expect to write 5,000 perfect words in one go. Write drafts, get feedback, revise, and improve. Your first draft will be rubbish – everyone's is.

Prepare your presentation fully. 

Don't wing it. Plan your presentation, practice it multiple times, create clear slides, and prepare for questions. This is your chance to show off what you've learned.

Look after yourself.

The EPQ is important, but it's not worth making yourself ill over. Take breaks, ask for help when you need it, and remember your wellbeing comes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my EPQ essay be?

For a dissertation-style EPQ, your essay should be around 5,000 words. If you're doing an artefact-based EPQ, your written report should be approximately 1,000 words.

Can I do an EPQ on anything?

Almost anything, yes. Your topic needs to be suitable for academic research and appropriate for an educational qualification.. Your topic should be something you can research using reliable sources and should ideally extend beyond what you're studying in your A Levels. 

How long does an EPQ take?

The EPQ is designed to take approximately 120 hours from start to finish. This includes planning, research, writing, keeping your production log, and preparing your presentation. Most students spread this across one academic year.

How many UCAS points is an EPQ worth?

The EPQ is worth up to 28 UCAS points depending on the grade you achieve. An A* at A Level is worth 56 points and an A is worth 48 points, so the EPQ is roughly equivalent to half an A Level in terms of UCAS points. 

Can I fail the EPQ?

You can't technically "fail" the EPQ, but you can be ungraded if your work doesn't meet the minimum standard. If you achieve an E grade or above, you'll receive UCAS points and the qualification appears on your certificates. 

Final Thoughts

The EPQ is a brilliant opportunity to show universities what you're capable of beyond your A Levels. It lets you explore something you're passionate about, develop essential skills, and potentially boost your university application.

Yes, it's a significant time commitment, and yes, it requires self-motivation and good organisation. But for students who enjoy independent learning and want to stand out in competitive university admissions, the EPQ offers real value.

References

• AQA (opens in a new tab), 

• Edexcel (opens in a new tab) 

• OCR (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS EPQ (opens in a new tab)