The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is part of our Excellence Programme, offering around 100 students every year the chance to complete a Project on a topic of their choice. It is a demanding commitment: to gain Grade A* or A, the Exam Board estimates that around 120 hours of study time are required.
What Topic?
Ideally, something related to your intended university subject, as this will appeal to the universities where you intend to apply. Recent topics have included:
- Physics: Is light a particle or wave energy?
- Literature: Was Oscar Wilde the true originator of the Decadent Movement?
- Maths: Why does the Weatherman always get it wrong? An exploration of Chaos Theory.
- Computer Science: RSS or ECC – which is the better form of encryption?
- Languages: How did Spanish Literature flourish during Franco’s censorship?
- History: Was Ivan really Terrible?
- Philosophy: Did Descartes successfully prove the existence of God?
- Music: Analyse the influence of J S Bach on popular music of the 20th Century.
How will EPQ help me?
- Extra points for UCAS (it is equivalent to half an extra A Level).
- Evidence of research, writing and presentation skills.
- Highly valued by top universities – may even win you a lower UCAS offer.
- The opportunity to go “beyond the syllabus” in a subject that interests you.
- Research shows that university students who have done an EPQ perform better than those who haven’t – even if their other A Level grades are the same.
What must I do?
- 5,000 word essay on a subject of your choice.
- A 10-minute presentation on your chosen subject to a small group of teachers and other students.
- A “Project Log” to describe the stages in the process of choosing, planning, researching, carrying out and evaluating your work.
- You could produce an “artefact” or organise an event instead of the long essay. Examples of artefacts include works of art, music, creative writing, architectural models, items of clothing, computer programmes or apps. “Events” have included of lessons (teaching a class), fund-raising activities and drama performances.
What help will I get?
- A weekly one-to-one meeting with your EPQ Supervisor (individual tutor).
- Study Skills advice and guidance from a range of different universities.
- Library sessions on finding academic resources and referencing your work (bibliographies).
When can I start?
You can start either in February of Y1 or September of Y2. (Please note, students would not apply for this course as part of their application to Holy Cross College.)
- February Y1 students will complete their projects by the end of their first year and will receive their results in Jan of Y2.
- September Y2 students will complete their projects by February of Y2 and will receive their result the following summer alongside their other A-Levels/BTECs.