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A single piece of work on a topic of your own choosing
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An ongoing ‘project’ requiring evidence of planning, preparation, research, analysis and independent work
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About half the size of an A level (assessed at A2 standard)
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Worth up to 70 UCAS points

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Choose a topic to study (this must not overlap with material already studied/assessed at A level)
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Complete a log/ongoing ‘project diary’ to record what you do
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Plan, research and carry out your project (this will take approximately 120 hours from July 2011-March 2012)
• Have weekly meetings with a ‘supervisor’ and one ‘skills’ lesson per week
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Prepare and deliver a presentation on what you have done

• A ‘traditional’ 5000 word essay
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A dramatic or musical performance
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A piece or collection of artwork or
Photography
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A CD, DVD, piece of software, multimedia presentation
plus a
1000 word commentary

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Anything! Here are some previous titles:
• What techniques do photographers use, and what is their impact or purpose?
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An analysis of the ways in which music can convey meaning
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The design of a piece of choreography based on slavery
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How has English affected the German language?
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How does animal cruelty vary between different cultures?
• How has forensic science developed in the last century and what has the impact been?
• How do legal contracts and practices affect sport in the modern world today?
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Compared to Western culture, what makes Japanese culture so unique?
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Are there specific techniques that make a good short story and if so, how do these differ from longer forms of narrative?
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How do independent record labels survive in the shadow of global brands?
• A linguistic exploration into 17 th century religious sonnets

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Develop new skills: planning, research, critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, evaluation and presentation skills – these will be useful across all your A level subjects
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Prepare you for the way you will learn at university
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Show initiative and learn independently
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Discover more about a topic that interests you; perhaps something to prepare you for university
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Develop confidence in presentation skills

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At the moment, the EPQ is not being formally included in the offers universities make to students (this is because not all schools offer the EPQ at the moment)
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However, universities are considering the EPQ when deciding whether or not to make offers
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In addition, there is an increasing trend for universities to accept students who ‘miss’ their grades if they have a good EPQ result

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Cambridge University : ‘As a means of raising standards and of encouraging students to follow their aspirations, there is little to match it. The EPQ can play a transformational role in the curriculum’.
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Sheffield University
: ‘We do encourage students to complete an Extended Project, where possible, as we value the development of skills in independent study and research, which an Extended Project can offer’.
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Newcastle University
: ‘We value the skills and research that the EPQ is designed to develop’.
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Glasgow University
: ‘In highly selective areas the preference may be given to students entering from 2010 with A levels who also offer the EPQ’.

• Watch this space…