EPQ

What is the EPQ?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a stand-alone qualification that Year 12 students may choose to take alongside their A-Levels. It is an independent piece of research and work, which may be linked to any of your A-Level subjects but it must not duplicate any work that you cover at A-Level. You may also choose to undertake a project theme that supports an extra-curricular interest or is related to your future career aspirations.
The EPQ carries UCAS tariff points and is equivalent to half an A-Level: A* 28, A 24, B 20, C 16, D 12, E 8
Students undertaking the EPQ are required to undertake the following:
1. Choose an area of interest
2. Draft a title and aims of the project
3. Maintain a detailed production log throughout to help demonstrate planning, development and review. (The production log is as crucial as the actual project and forms part of the overall marking process)
4. Plan, research and carry out the project, producing a 5000-word report
5. Deliver a presentation to a non-specialist audience (e.g. students, teachers etc.)
6. Provide evidence of all stages of project development and production for assessment.
Each student will be allocated a teacher who will act as the project supervisor and ensure that you complete each project milestone.

Students applying to university are often looking for a way to 'stand out' from the pack. There are a number of ways this can be achieved, such as:
1. Completing an online MOOC in an area of interest. UniFrog has lots to choose from
2. Volunteering (e.g. at a care-home, or primary school outside of school time)
3. Completing the Duke of Edinburgh's award
4. Being involved in youth organisations such as Scouts or Cadets
5. Completing the EPQ
It is our experience that the EPQ can be beneficial in some cases where students are looking to apply to courses which have high (e.g. AAA) entry requirements, such as Oxbridge, Veternary, Medicine or Dentistry courses.
Some providers will reduce an offer of a place (e.g. from AAA to AAB and an A-grade for EPQ).
When considering an EPQ, students must carefully weigh up the risk of the additional time investment leading to a detrimental effect on their core subject grades.

The extended project is expected to involve around 120 hours of work.
Whilst some of this time will be spent in EPQ-related lectures and in mentor meetings, the vast majority of the work will need to be carried out independently outside of school hours.
Sessions will take place each Wednesday afternoon in the enrichment slot, and will cover key skills such as referencing and research skills.
Students who undertake an EPQ must be prepared to commit around three hours per week to their project over and above the hours already required for A-Level study outside of school.
Every year, significant numbers of students drop their EPQ mid-way through the course. While reasons vary, this is commonly due to being unable to manage the demands of an EPQ as well as commitments to their core subjects. This is especially challenging during exam periods and around coursework deadlines.
Further guidance on the work involved can be found in the links below, which must be read prior to making your application.

Your most recent report data must indicate that you are on track to achieve your target grades, and must have no negative engagement grades.
We strongly recommend that students wishing to study for an EPQ have an average GCSE score of 7 or better.

Ensure that you meet the entry criteria for the EPQ.
Read the 2025 Production Log (found here), which you will need to complete in addition to the 5000 work final report.
Read the EPQ Ethical Project guide, which contains guidelines for devising and completing the project.
Complete the BGS EPQ Application form, sign it and email to Mr Andrew Mitchell (Law) by 09:00 on Monday 11 November 2024.
Applications will be reviewed in November, and successful applicants notified by email in late November.
Note: Places are limited. Where there are a large number of applicants, you may be called to attend a short interview with a member of the Sixth Form team.

Date	Activity
11 November 2024	Deadline date for EPQ applications
12 November - 22 November 2024	Applications assessed
25 November 2024	Applicants notified of the outcome. Supervisor details will be issued to successful applicants
December 2024 - June 2025	Students work on EPQ
2 June - 13 June 2025	Students deliver EPQ Presentations
19 June 2025	Final deadline for the student submission of completed production logs and projects ahead of marking and moderation process
Date to be confirmed January 2026	EPQ results released to students. As this date is after the deadline date for UCAS applications, a predicted grade will be supplied.