Extending your learning
Pursuing academic independence

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), a highly regarded qualification valued by leading universities, is offered as an additional opportunity for students to further distinguish themselves academically.

The EPQ enables students to undertake independent research on a topic of their choice, often beyond the scope of their A Level studies. This may be inspired by their current subjects, future ambitions or a personal area of interest. Students then use this research to produce either a 5,000-word dissertation or, for practical projects, an artefact or production supported by a shorter written report.

This qualification provides a valuable opportunity to develop key skills such as critical thinking, independent study, research and academic writing. It allows students to explore a subject they are passionate about in greater depth, while also preparing them for the demands of university study and future careers. As the EPQ is assessed at A Level standard, it can contribute additional UCAS points, often exceeding those of an AS Level qualification.

The EPQ runs from January in Year 12 through to December in Year 13. Students are invited to apply after enrolling in Year 12.

Previous project titles have demonstrated the breadth and ambition of our students’ interests, including:

• The ethics of time travel

• Designing and developing a new Formula 1 front wing

• The impact of the Human Genome Project on psychiatry

• Designing and producing a range of moisturising beauty products

• Tracing Eve: female heroines in Western literature

• The consistent style of ancient Chinese pagodas

• How the shift to monotheism affected Roman attitudes to sexuality

• The consequences of the 2008 global financial crash

Through the EPQ, students are empowered to think independently, engage deeply with their chosen subject and stand out in an increasingly competitive academic landscape.