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:

  1. Write a dissertation or investigation; create an artefact or performance using appropriate skills and technology
  2. 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.

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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.

Luke Weller - EPQ

Luke Weller

EPQ - Bromsgrove School
The EPQ interested me as it would allow me to carry out a piece of individual research that would be similar to what I would do at university, where I am hoping to study Aerospace Engineering with a focus on Space Flight Systems. My EPQ was to create an artefact that could be used to stabilise a rocket in different stages of flight. The EPQ was great because it enabled me to read books by rocketry pioneers while researching, as well as allowing me to apply and extend some of the subjects from my A Levels in Maths and Physics.
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