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If you have any questions regarding any aspect of the Co-Curricular provision, please email d.goodwin@bishopvesys.bham.sch.uk

What is EPQ?

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.

Why choose EPQ?

The skills you develop whilst undertaking EPQ not only help improve your A Level performance but increase your confidence in terms of future study and career development. You will:

§ develop and apply decision-making skills,problem-solving skills, initiative and enterprise;

§ extend your planning, research, critical-thinking, analytical, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills;

§ improve time management, notetaking, academic writing and referencing skills.

Many universities value EPQ highly and include it in their UCAS offers (it carries UCAS points equivalent to half an A Level). You can refer to EPQ in your UCAS personal statement and at interview to demonstrate some of the qualitiesthat universities are looking for.

The University of Southampton believes project qualifications such as the EPQ offer an "unparalleled introduction to the skills needed for students to thrive in Higher Education”. (University of Southampton)

“Working on an EPQ encourages students to develop research and academic skills relevant to undergraduate study”. (University of Oxford)

How is EPQ delivered?

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.

What will I need to produce?

The three P’s of EPQ are the Product, the Presentation and the Production Log.

Product: you will either write a 5000 word research report OR create an artefact (together with a shorter written research report).

Presentation: you will design and deliver a presentation to a non-specialised audience (EPQ peers and your supervisor).

Production Log: you will complete a diary-style Production Log which provides evidence of your EPQ journey. We use an internet based system called Project Q to complete this.

What kind of thing do students choose to research?

Titles of previous written research reports include:

§ How has politics influenced football in Spain in the 20th Century?

§ Should the number of cycles of IVF currently offered by the NHS be standardised nationally?

§ Has elite sport in South Africa had a significant impact in integrating polarised societies following the 1995 Rugby World Cup?

§ Did selfishness in Wall Street cause the 2008 recession?

§ To what extent is sleep deprivation a risk factor of dementia?

§ How can technology be used to improve water supply for those living without access to clean water?

Titles of previous artefact projects include:

§ A poem for children in the style of Dr Seuss

§ A book of recipes for university students

§ Create a remotely-controlled Bluetooth camera for less than £50

§ How to raise £1000 for a local charity

§ A modern day retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”