EPQ
Welcome to the EPQ at CHS
Firstly, congratulations on considering an amazing qualification; which will allow you to shine and delve into a research project beyond your subjects. You will have a chance to explore a topic of your interest which will become your passion!
Have you considered an EPQ? Start by watching the videos below.
Copy of EPQ Sixth Form Open Day.mp4The EPQ
What is an EPQ?
EPQ is short for Extended Project Qualification. An EPQ is an independent research project which involves writing an essay of 5000 words (that's around 10 typed pages), or creating a product, which might be anything from an art object to an iPhone app. As the project evolves, you must complete a production log to record specific stages of the project and this also contributes to your project result. The third component of the project is an oral presentation.
Generally, the whole process from start to finish takes about 120 hours. There's no set time limit for doing an EPQ, but most students use the summer holiday at the end of Year 11 to do the preliminary research and then complete the project in the early part of Year 12. It is a formal 'level 3' qualification that attracts UCAS Tariff points. CHS uses the EPQ structure provided by AQA. It is not recommended that you study an EPQ alongside 4 A Level subjects.
You receive teaching and guidance to get you started, to help with planning and researching and presentation skills, and to keep you on track as you work through your chosen project. There's no formal restriction on what you do the project on: that's negotiated between you and your Supervisor and by the Centre Co-ordinator, who will help you choose a topic you will enjoy and cope with.
The three assessments which decide your result are completed by the Supervisor, moderated in School and finally the exam board 'approves' these marks to check they're grading correctly.
What skills do I need to complete a successful EPQ?
An EPQ is the longest and most extensive project that you will do during your school years, so it stretches your normal skills. The EPQ requires:
a great interest in the research topic: interest and curiosity in a subject are the fuel of motivation to keep you going deeper in order to answer a research question – an Extended Project Qualification is not a ‘lukewarm’ enterprise!
organisational skills: planning the project over a 30-week period and making sure that each stage is completed in time is essential to creating a high-quality end-product and attracting the highest assessment marks in the process.
Meeting deadlines and reacting to the advice of your Supervisor.
good time-management skills because it is not part of the normal school curriculum. Making sure you spend enough time on the project each week, while juggling the demands of your A-Levels, is key to a successful project.
I decided to pose the question ‘Why do men commit the majority of indictable criminal acts in England and Wales?’ My title links to Law, a subject which I want to study at university. It is also topical and relevant. For example, we are currently witnessing a surge in knife crime. Thirdly, I chose this question title out of curiosity – I wanted to try to understand the reasons behind male crime. I developed independent research skills, the ability to Harvard reference, essay writing skills and the ability to analyse and evaluate data. In terms of my particular project, my aims were to explore the area of criminal law, a subject which CHS does not offer, and develop knowledge of this particular area of law. Undertaking an EPQ helped to prepare me for university, where a similar project may need to be completed and where I hope to study Law.
Bryony.
The EPQ is universally recognised as superb evidence of independent learning and academic strength. Kitson (2003) has emphasised the critical importance of ensuring that students know why they are reading, what they should note down, and for what purpose.
What do Universities think?
EPQ gives students a taste of what university life is like whilst they are still in the Sixth Form. They learn to take charge of the direction of their studies and are taught how to carry out a large scale project with support from a supervisor. It is highly valued by many universities as it provides an excellent preparation for life beyond the Sixth Form.
The University of Southampton was the first to introduce an alternative offer scheme for applicants who excel in the EPQ…This additional offer reflects our confidence in the EPQ as an excellent preparation for the kinds of independent study necessary for students to succeed at a research intensive university such as Southampton.
The University of Southampton.
We welcome the Extended Project and would encourage applicants to undertake one as it will help to develop independent study and research skills valuable for higher education
Cambridge University
An EPQ can benefit your application as applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the standard offer for their course, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ (though please note that this excludes our Medicine (A100) and Dentistry (A200) courses).
Birmingham University
The EPQ Team.
Ms Spencer leads the EPQ and there are a team of approx. 30 specialist staff who supervise 2-3 pupils each.
Please contact our EPQ Lead if you have any further questions at oliviaspencer@chschool.co.uk.