EPQ provides very clear evidence of that you have interests and ability which go beyond your Level 3 studies. It demonstrates clearly that you are capable of undertaking the kind of independent reading, research, and essay writing that is the mainstay of most undergraduate degrees.

 

This is hugely important in the UCAS application process where universities often have little to distinguish between students with similar predicted grades.

 

Additionally, an EPQ provides highly relevant material for your UCAS Personal Statement and for you to talk about in university interviews. Most top schools in the UK have made the completion of an EPQ (or an internal equivalent) compulsory for all Year 12 students.

 

Universities have always recognised the benefits of students completing an EPQ;

For example, Birmingham University now states the following:

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“At the University of Birmingham, applicants who take an EPQ and meet the offer criteria will be made the standard offer for their programme of choice; PLUS an alternative offer which will be one grade lower, plus a grade A in the EPQ”.

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Bristol University makes a similar statement in their admissions process:

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 “The University recognises that some A Level students may also choose to take the Extended Project. In some cases, we may make two alternative offers, one of which involves success in the Extended Project (e.g. either AAA at A Level or AAB at A Level plus Extended Project)”.

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Oxford University also states the following on its’ website:

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“working on an EPQ encourages students to develop research and academic skills relevant to undergraduate study. Therefore, we would recommend anyone completing an EPQ to draw on these skills when writing your UCAS personal statement. Whether you undertake a formal EPQ or not, you will be a more convincing applicant if you can demonstrate breadth of reading and independent research into your chosen subject; if you have pursued study beyond that required by your school syllabus”.

 

Given that the many Universities are repeating the message given by both Bristol and Birmingham Universities, we recommend that all students interested studying at university look at university A Level requirements. The following website,  https://digital.ucas.com/search details the entry requirements for every course offering by all UK universities and Universities will specifically state whether they offer an alternative offer if an EPQ is pursued.

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Student success stories include:

Chloe completed her EPQ on the use of light in architecture, looking at its development through European architectural history and examining contemporary technical developments. The completion of the project developed her existing knowledge of architecture in a way that not only enhanced her A-Level subjects, particularly History of Art, but added an extra dimension to her UCAS application, and helped in the interviews which got her a place at one of the UK’s best schools of architecture. Furthermore, her EPQ  gave her a considerable advantage over her competitors when she came to apply for work placements in her first year at university.

 

Thomas completed an EPQ on the use of satire in the work of the Italian author Dante. The project provided strong evidence in his UCAS Personal Statement to support his application to study English Literature. His EPQ was the main topic of discussion in his interview for a place at Cambridge University, which he was duly offered. When asked what he thought was the main reason that his Cambridge interview had been so successful, Thomas answered simply: “I just talked about my EPQ!”.