Why undertake the Extended Projects Qualification (EPQ)?
Through the EPQ, Year 2 students have the opportunity to carry out some genuine research on a topic of their choosing that equips them with the skills of investigation, analysis and synthesis which universities and employers want.
Why undertake an EPQ at Worcester Sixth Form College?
Extended Projects involves Year 2 students identifying, designing, planning and then completing an individual project on a topic of their choosing. To do this they obtain and select information from a range of sources and then:
- Write a dissertation or investigation; create an artefact or performance using appropriate skills and technology
- Evaluate the project including reviewing their own performance and presenting their findings to an audience
Each student is allocated a supervisor who will meet regularly with them to help them throughout all stages of the project. Alongside this, there will be some lessons in which the skills required for a successful EPQ will be taught. Please note, the Extended Project Qualification is open to second year students only.
Progression Opportunities
Universities regard the EPQ highly and recognise the UCAS points from it. Many universities now make offers including the EPQ, with an increasing number of universities giving lower offers if a student has done one. Some take the EPQ into account if their offer has not been met. The project also provides a focus for interview should the student be offered one.
It carries UCAS tariff points as follows:
- A* 28
- A 24
- B 20
- C 16
- D 12
- E 8
Students doing the EPQ progress on to a wide variety of higher education courses, ranging from Medicine and Dentistry through the Sciences and Engineering, to the Social Sciences and Arts.
Charlotte Fensom
Related Activities
Ambition Programme
Young Enterprise
