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Extended Project Qualification

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an additional qualification you can take alongside your other subjects. It gives you the opportunity to research a subject area to undergraduate level standard. You will develop higher-level thinking skills, valued by universities and employers. You will also gain extra UCAS points and enhance your university application.

You do not need to apply for this course as part of your initial course choices, but will be given the opportunity to add the course to your programme during your first year of studies.

Entry requirements

This course is offered to students in June of the first year. Anyone can apply and there are a series of tasks and activities to complete as part of the application process.

Exam Board Specification

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Course leaflet

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What you will study

Choose a topic you are passionate about to independently research
Plan, research and carry out your project and then prepare a presentation to share the outcomes
Complete a logbook to document the process and your decisions.

The project can take a variety of forms such as a traditional dissertation.

Two female students reading at a desk in the library. st helens sixth form

Assessments

Provide a product based on your research
Complete a logbook recording your experience
Deliver a presentation

Course Support

You will be supported by your supervisor who will help to develop your research skills and provide advice & guidance throughout the process.

Progression

Universities look very favourably on EPQ as they know it develops the higher level skills they are looking for. Carmel students have had offers for medicine, veterinary science, aerospace engineering and pharmacy as well as offers from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. We feel that the Extended Project Qualification really gave them a distinct advantage in their Personal Statements and an interview. The EPQ also attracts UCAS points

Choosing to undertake an EPQ at Carmel has unequivocally been one of the best decisions I have ever made because I feel so much more prepared for university.

The qualification has enhanced my organisation abilities, introduced me to new academic areas such as referencing and has developed my communication skills through the presentation aspect. Whilst this is predominately an independent qualification, I have been given so much support from my EPQ tutor and never felt lost or confused during the process.

My future ambition is to be become a barrister so my EPQ surrounded international human rights law which I believe gave my personal statement a compelling edge. Therefore, I would fully recommend the EPQ as it gives you the opportunity to delve into an area that you are passionate about and create a product that you are extremely proud of at the end.

Now studying Law at the University of Leeds

Emmy Mae Edwards

Childwall Sports and Science Academy