What is an EPQ - Complete EPQ Guide

The EPQ, introduced in 2006, has quickly become one of the most popular additional options for A-level students to take. Worth half an A-level, the EPQ is a fantastic way of increasing the total UCAS points a student applies to university with. What’s more, EPQ can be a valuable experience as it allows individuals to explore an interest that may not be directly related to their studies. But, what is an EPQ?

This qualification is still fairly new for most students and parents. Without understanding what it is, students might decide not to take the EPQ, even if they would have enjoyed it. In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need about the EPQ. Our complete guide will cover absolutely everything you need to know, touching on the most frequently asked questions.

By the end of this article, you’ll be an EPQ whiz. Let’s get right into it.

What is EPQ?

EPQ is an acronym that stands for Extended Project Qualification. What that actually means is that students will have to embark on their own research journey. At the end of this research, they’ll have to produce a 5,000-word essay or create a product alongside a 1,500-word essay.

EPQ can be about absolutely anything. No matter what you’re interested in, if you can find an academic way of exploring it, then you’re good to go. EPQ is an exercise in independent research, allowing students to learn more about their favourite topics.

While most students focus their EPQ on a part of their A Level subjects that they enjoy, it could be on something totally unrelated. So, what is the EPQ? Well, the EPQ is whatever you’d like it to be!

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What Qualification is an EPQ?

According to AQA, the EPQ is an A-level standard qualification. This means that most students will get their EPQ results with all of their other examination results in August. However, students must remember that the extended project qualification is worth only half of an A-level. At maximum, this qualification is worth 28 UCAS points if the student were to get an A* in EPQ.

As a qualification, the EPQ is recognized by employers and universities, making it an excellent option for those looking to expand their education while still at school. Most of the time, it is taken as a fourth option for those currently sitting three A-level options.

Which Universities like EPQ?

The vast majority of UK universities now accept the EPQ as a valuable addition to a student’s A-level subjects. While it cannot be used as part of a grade offer, some universities will lower the grade offer they make to students. This means that a student that needs AAA to get into a university might receive an AAB offer due to having a great EPQ result.

All 24 of the Russell Group universities currently accept the EPQ and look upon it favourably. While not all universities will lower your grade offerings due to the EPQ, they will take it into account. The EPQ demonstrates independent research skills, which are vital for success in university and further education.

How to Write an EPQ Introduction

The introduction paragraph to your EPQ is one of the most important parts of your entire essay. As this is the first thing that your teachers and examiners will read, it’s important to make a good impression.

Most of the time, your introduction will be around 300 to 400 words. This section will introduce your project, discuss what you’re going to write about, and summarize the project. We recommend that you write your EPQ introduction last, as you need to know what you’ve covered in the project.

Your EPQ conclusion is much more important than the introduction, so make sure you save enough words to cover the conclusion.

How to Get an A* in EPQ

The EPQ is more about the process than the final product. With that in mind, you should work backwards. Start by looking through the mark scheme and see what you need to do to get full marks. From there, you can reverse engineer a topic that you think is interesting and has lots of potential for research.

Planning is vital if you want to do well in EPQ, meaning you should outline your whole project as early on as possible.

While there is no set formula to get an A* in EPQ, there are a few different tips you can include to distinguish yourself from the crowd. We recommend that A* EPQ students do the following:

• Pick a topic area that has lots of academic research around it.
• Think ahead; planning will get you far in the EPQ.
• Don’t forget your log; fill it in as you go.
• Balance breadth and depth, you should have a concise argument that covers a select topic in lots of detail.
• Take your time to write; try not to wait till the last minute to write your EPQ essay.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting an A* in EPQ.

Source - AQA Grade A* Description

EPQ Results - How Many People Get an A* or A?

Every year, AQA, which is the largest exam board which hosts the EPQ, releases information on the overall results. On August 18th, 2022, AQA released results statistics for their June 2022 exams.

In 2022, 22.6% of students got an A* in the EPQ. 26.5% of students got an A in the EPQ, which was the largest segment. 21% of students got a B in the EPQ, with this being the third largest segment.

As you can see below, the lower grades of C, D, E, and U, all had a lower percentage of students. In 2022, only 2% of students got a U in the EPQ.

Source - EPQ Exam Results Table

What to Include in EPQ Presentation

The EPQ presentation is an important part of the process, involving public speaking skills. To create a good presentation, you should outline the process, your aims, what you’ve achieved, and what you’ve learnt. There are many different ways you can structure your EPQ presentation, but we suggest that you cover a few core areas.

You should talk about the following points in your EPQ presentation:

1. Topic - What is your topic; what did you study? Create a concise description of what you did.

2. Logic - How did you get to your topic? What is the logic you followed behind choosing your topic? Perhaps you’re going to study that subject at university, or you just had an interest that you wanted to explore further.

3. Objectives - Clearly state the purpose of your investigation and outline the academic reasoning behind the direction you took. What was the point of your EPQ; What did you want to find out or prove?

4. Research Pathway - Next, you should outline the research that you moved through when conducting your extended project qualification. Examiners love setbacks and changes, so be sure to chart any developments you had throughout the project.

5. Conclusions - Where did your EPQ end up? Discuss what your main conclusions were and what you discovered from all of your research.

6. Self-Improvement - What have you personally learnt from your EPQ? Is there anything you’ve discovered that will help you in the future? Perhaps you’ve learnt that you love independent research, or maybe you’ve discovered the importance of time management.

7. Review - At the end of your EPQ presentation, give an overview of the project again. Talk about your main discoveries, if your hypothesis was correct, and what you’ve learnt along the way. Most importantly, how will you use this knowledge going forward?

Across these 7 steps, you’ll have everything you need to score well in the EPQ presentation.

FAQs

To give you absolutely all the information you need on the EPQ, we’ve collected all of the most asked questions that students have.

We’ll cover all of the following questions:

• What does EPQ stand for?
• Is EPQ worth it?
• What skills does the EPQ test?
• How many words is EPQ?
• When are EPQ results released?
• How long does the EPQ take?
• What exam board runs EPQ?
• Who marks EPQ?
• How is the EPQ marked?
• How many UCAS points is EPQ?
• How hard is it to get an A in EPQ?
• Does Oxbridge care about EPQ?
• How many people take the EPQ each year?
• What are the best EPQ Ideas?
• Can you fail an EPQ?

What Does EPQ Stand for?

EPQ stands for Extended Project Qualification. It is worth the same as half of an A Level, and is typically taken by students studying three A Levels.

Is EPQ Worth it?

The EPQ is worth it for students that want to strengthen their university application. Scoring well in the EPQ can give a student more UCAS points. Additionally, some universities will lower a student’s offer by one grade if they have an EPQ. That means that if a student needed AAB to get into their chosen course, a university could offer ABB.

The difference of one grade might not seem like much, but it actually gives students a huge advantage. The EPQ is well worth taking for anyone that’s looking to go to university. Over recent years, more and more higher education institutions have sung the praises of the EPQ, using it as a good measure of which students excel in independent learning.

In many UK universities, courses are almost exclusively independent learning. Especially in BA subjects, students could have under ten contact hours a week, leaving them to study by themselves for much of the time. EPQ gives students a jump start in these skills and helps them thrive at university.

Here is what one A-Level tutor has to say about the EPQ:

"I found the EPQ to be a valuable experience that allowed me to delve deeper into a topic that truly interested me. It was a chance to explore a subject that wasn't covered in my other classes and to develop critical thinking and research skills that have been useful in my university studies. It was also the most enjoyable A-level that I took, as I had control of what I wanted to work on, which you don't get with other subjects which are assessed my exams and have a fixed syllabus"

What Skills Does the EPQ Test?

The EPQ is an independent qualification, meaning a student has to do all the research, planning, and writing by themselves. Due to this, there are a range of skills tested. An EPQ tests the following skills:

• Problem-solving
• Organization
• Planning
• Creative thinking
• Independent learning
• Time management
• Essay writing
• Communication

How Many Words Is EPQ?

Standing for Extended Project Qualification, the EPQ really took the ‘E’ seriously. This extended project comes in at a total of 5,000 words, which is the longest piece of work a student will create in their final two years at school.

That said, many students have stated that they wrote over this amount and still scored an A or an A*. Depending on the project’s nature, that 5,000-word limit could only be a guideline. As always, it’s best to discuss with your teacher if you’re planning on exceeding a 5,000-word EPQ.

Alternatively, you could create something for your EPQ. If you create something, you still have to write an extended essay. Often, these will be longer than 1,500 words and will explain the process you went through to create your EPQ.

When are EPQ Results Released?

You will get your EPQ grade in either November, February, or August, depending on which EPQ cohort you are in. For most students, you will receive your EPQ results in August, with all of your other A Level exam results.

That said, due to the fact that your teacher marks your EPQ, they will likely know your mark beforehand. If you have a discussion with your EPQ teacher, you might be able to find out your grade early. However, beware of this, as your result could be moderated down or up by a few marks, changing your overall grade.

How Long Does the EPQ take?

The EPQ takes around 120 hours of work. Students will begin their EPQ in October and aim to finish by April, giving them plenty of time to slowly work through the project.

Over this six-month period, a student will need to put in one hour of independent work for every hour lesson they have each week. In total, these 120 hours will fly by, with the long period of time that students have making this a very low-stress course option.

Remember, as you’re navigating your own research, it’s important to effectively manage your own time. Planning ahead can be a lifesaver and will help you pace your EPQ better.

What Exam Board Runs EPQ?

UCAS states that all of the major UK exam boards run the EPQ. That means that AQA, ASDAN, City & Guilds, OCR, VTCT, WJEX, and Pearson all run the EPQ.

However, out of the 30,000 people that take the EPQ each year, around 25,000 of them do it through AQA. This means that AQA is the exam board that runs the EPQ for the vast majority of students.

Who Marks EPQ?

The EPQ is initially marked by your subject teacher. They will give you a raw mark out of 50. While grade boundaries will change every year and will depend on which exam board you are working through, you typically need around 45 points for an A* and 40 for an A in the EPQ.

In 2020, the AQA grade boundaries for the EPQ were are follows:

Source. - EPQ Grade Boundaries

After all of the EPQs from your year are marked, they will be sent off for moderation. Your moderator will be from the exam board and will double-check that your teachers are marking correctly. If they are marking too high or too low, the exam board will lower or increase all of the marks across your entire year.

How is the EPQ Marked?

Across each AO (Assessment Area), the EPQ varies in how many marks they afford students. The specific breakdown is as follows:

• AO1 - 15-25%
• AO2 - 15-25%
• AO3 - 35-45%
• AO4 - 15-25%

Source - EPQ Mark Scheme

How Many UCAS Points is EPQ?

The EPQ is often taken by students that want to strengthen their university application. Most of the time, students that take three A levels will extend what they’re offering by including the EPQ. Once they successfully complete the EPQ, they can use it as an additional qualification.

The EPQ gives UCAS points. Depending on which mark the student got, they will receive a different amount of EPQ UCAS points:

• EPQ A* - 28 Points
• EPQ A - 24 Points
• EPQ B - 20 Points
• EPQ C - 16 Points
• EPQ D - 12 Points
• EPQ E - 8 Points

As you can see, the EPQ grades move from E-A*. A student that receives an A* in the EPQ will receive 28 UCAS points, while a student that receives an E in the EPQ will receive only 8 UCAS points.

Is it Hard to Get an A in EPQ?

The EPQ is a reflection of a student’s ability to independently research and pull their findings together into a coherent project. Most of the time, if students are good at researching, writing, and clearly presenting their knowledge, they will not have much of a problem with the EPQ.

While getting an A in any subject is difficult, getting an A in the EPQ is easier than getting an A in an A-level. Due to the independent nature of the EPQ, a student that works hard in this area will be able to explore a topic they love while also getting a great additional qualification.

Around 50% of students will get an A* or an A in the EPQ, based on the 2022 EPQ results released by AQA.

Does Oxbridge Care About EPQ?

Both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge have issued statements that show they are both interested in the EPQ. Oxford says that the EPQ won’t impact an offer, but it will show that a student has the academic research skills that are needed to thrive in their environment.

Equally, Cambridge has stated that EPQ is a welcome addition to any application as it shows great “Independent study and research skills”, both of which are “valuable to higher education”. That means that Oxbridge does care about EPQ, seeing it as a valuable addition to a student’s application.

While it won’t make or break an application, any solid qualification like the EPQ is a welcome addition.

Can You Fail an EPQ?

Yes, you can fail the EPQ. If you’re in a position where you expect a very low grade in your EPQ, you could talk to your school about dropping the qualification. Many students who are struggling enlist the help of an EPQ tutor to help them achieve a passing grade. We recommend that you try and complete your EPQ, even if it gets a low grade, as you’ll still gain UCAS points from an EPQ with a low grade.

How Many People Take the EPQ Each Year?

Taking the EPQ is actually incredibly common, with many students across the UK and beyond taking this qualification every single year. Based on statistics by UCAS, around 30,000 students take the EPQ every year.

These numbers were once slightly skewed as the EPQ was a mandatory segment of the Progression and Level 3 Advanced Diplomas, which have now been dissolved.

What Are the Best EPQ Ideas?

The vert best EPQ Ideas are the ones that you naturally connect with. Take a look at what A-Levels you’re currently studying. If you’re taking A Level Maths, A Level Physics, and A Level Biology, then something about science would be a great choice. As you’re passionate about those subjects, an EPQ in that area will be much easier for you.

That said, if you’re studying A Level English, A Level History, and A Level History, then something from those areas will be much more appropriate. Be sure to match your EPQ ideas with the subjects that you have a passion for. If you’d like a helping hand, then be sure to check out our list of 400+ EPQ ideas and examples, covering all subjects.

In that list, we break down the best EPQ ideas for different subjects, helping you find inspiration for your extended project qualification.