For students and parents · Year 12 to autumn of Year 13
The EPQ: is it worth doing?
The Extended Project Qualification is a Level 3 qualification in which a student researches a question of their own and writes a report of about 5,000 words, or makes an artefact and writes a report of at least 1,000 words, over about 120 guided hours. It is graded A* to E, and an A* is worth 28 UCAS Tariff points, half an A level A*, so it is worth doing when the topic helps the application and the time will not cost an A level grade.
What does the EPQ involve?
The student picks a topic, agrees a title with a supervisor at school, and plans and carries out the project, keeping a production log of the decisions they make along the way. The finished product is either a research report of about 5,000 words or an artefact (a piece of design, a performance, a program and so on) with a research-based report of at least 1,000 words, and there is a presentation at the end.
The figures here come from AQA’s specification, which asks for about 120 guided learning hours in total. Other boards offer the qualification too, so check which one the school uses and read its specification.
How much is the EPQ worth?
On the UCAS Tariff an A* is 28 points, an A 24, a B 20, a C 16, a D 12 and an E 8, which is half the points of the same grade at A level. The UCAS points calculator adds it to the rest.
Points matter only where a course asks for them, and many courses, especially the more selective ones, make offers in grades instead. Some universities say on their course pages that they value the EPQ or may make an offer that takes it into account, so check the entry requirements of each course rather than assuming either way.
Is it worth doing?
It is most useful when the topic is connected to the degree. A project on a question in the subject gives a student something real to write about in the second or third answer of the personal statement, and something to be asked about at interview, which is worth more than the points for most applicants.
The cost is time. The project runs across Year 12 and into Year 13, alongside the A levels whose grades most offers depend on, so a student who is already stretched may do better to spend those hours on the A levels and read around the subject in a lighter way instead.
Where to check
Checked against these on . The rules change from year to year, so the pages above are the ones to trust if anything here disagrees with them.
Common questions
How many UCAS points is an EPQ worth?
An A* is 28 points, an A 24, a B 20, a C 16, a D 12 and an E 8, half the points of the same grade at A level.
How long is the EPQ?
About 5,000 words for a research report, or an artefact with a report of at least 1,000 words, over about 120 guided learning hours, plus a presentation and a production log.
Do universities lower their offers for an EPQ?
Some say on their course pages that they may take it into account, and others do not. Check each course’s entry requirements rather than assuming.
Should my EPQ be about the subject I want to study at university?
It usually helps if it is, because it gives you something specific to write about in the personal statement and to talk about at an interview.
When do students do the EPQ?
Schools set their own timetable, and many run it across Year 12 and finish it in the autumn of Year 13.