What Is an EPQ and Is It Worth Doing?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is one of the most underrated qualifications available to sixth form students. For the right student, it is genuinely worth the effort — here is an honest assessment of what it involves and whether you should do it.

What Is the EPQ?

The EPQ is an independent research project worth half an A-Level (28 UCAS points for an A*). Students choose a topic — anything from "Should the UK adopt a four-day working week?" to "The role of epigenetics in cancer development" — carry out extended research, and produce either a 5,000-word dissertation or a practical artefact with a written report. The project is supervised by a teacher but is fundamentally student-led.

Most students complete the EPQ in Year 12 or across both sixth form years. It is marked internally and then moderated externally by the exam board.

Why Universities Value the EPQ

Universities — particularly research-intensive ones — value the EPQ for three reasons:

• Independent research skills: finding, evaluating and synthesising sources is exactly what undergraduate study requires
• Intellectual initiative: choosing and pursuing a self-directed question shows genuine curiosity rather than passive curriculum completion
• Extended writing: a 5,000-word dissertation at A-Level is excellent preparation for the volume of writing at university

Many universities now include EPQ grades in conditional offers — for example, "AAA including an EPQ grade A" — effectively giving you an additional chance to demonstrate academic ability beyond your three A-Levels.

Is the EPQ Right for You?

The EPQ is worth doing if:

• You have a genuine intellectual interest in a topic you want to explore in depth
• You are applying to competitive universities that value independent research
• You can manage the 120-hour commitment without compromising your A-Level performance
• You want to build a strong personal statement centred on a specific intellectual passion

The EPQ is probably not worth doing if you are already struggling to manage the A-Level workload or if you are pursuing a vocational or practical-skills-focused path where the dissertation format adds little value.

Our specialists help students who are considering an EPQ choose a topic that genuinely strengthens their Oxbridge or competitive university application and approach the project with the academic rigour it requires. We're rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Book a free consultation to discuss your plans.

Choosing Your EPQ Topic

The best EPQ topics share three qualities: you find them genuinely interesting, they connect to your intended university subject, and they are researchable using available sources. Avoid topics that are too broad ("climate change"), too narrow (where there is almost no literature), or purely opinion-based with nothing substantive to research.

A strong topic might be: "To what extent did the introduction of antibiotics change the course of 20th-century medicine?" or "How can machine learning improve early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy?"

Maximising Your EPQ Grade

• Start early — the 120 hours accrue slowly; panic in March is avoidable
• Keep a detailed production log from day one (this is marked)
• Use academic sources (journal articles, books) not just websites
• Evaluate your sources critically — this earns marks
• Structure your dissertation carefully before writing it
• Get detailed feedback from your supervisor at every stage

How Leading Tuition Can Help

Our tutors help students select strong EPQ topics, structure their research, and develop the academic writing skills needed for a top grade. We also help students connect their EPQ to their university personal statement for maximum impact. Book a free consultation to discuss EPQ support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an EPQ?

An Extended Project Qualification is an independent research project worth half an A-Level (up to 28 UCAS points for an A*). Students choose any topic and produce either a 5,000-word dissertation or a practical artefact with a written report.

Q: Is the EPQ worth doing for university applications?

For most students, yes. It demonstrates independent research skills, intellectual curiosity and long-term project management — all qualities universities value. Many universities mention EPQs positively and some include them in conditional offers.

Q: Does the EPQ help with Oxbridge applications?

Yes. Oxford and Cambridge value the intellectual depth and independent thinking the EPQ demonstrates. An A* in an EPQ related to your intended course strengthens your personal statement and shows genuine academic initiative.

Q: How much time does the EPQ take?

The EPQ typically requires 120 hours of work spread over one or two years. The commitment is significant but manageable alongside A-Levels if you start early and plan your schedule carefully.