Should I take an EPQ? Your Questions Answered

This is probably a stupid question and I probably know the answer to this but can you defer an EPQ?

I am writing a nativity and wanted to put it on at my school's prep school, however, they already have started their Nativity, I'm taking a gap year and deferring to Uni so could I do all the research etc. and put on the Nativity next Christmas?

I think the answer is no but I just wanted to check.

has anyone taken an epq with four a levels? would it be manageable?

I didn't myself but my friend did (and got 5A*s ). You just have to be super organised and keep on top of it. Also be prepared to drop it if it becomes too much because at the end of the day your A level grades are gonna be more important than your EPQ. If possible do something you really enjoy so at least some of it doesn't feel like work (that's what my friend did)

has anyone taken an epq with four a levels? would it be manageable?

Plenty of people each year want to know if they should take an EPQ, so here's TSR's guide to whether you should take it!

What is an EPQ?
An EPQ is an extended project qualification. It is a level 3 qualification, so you typically take it while doing A levels/Level 3 BTECs etc. It is an independent research project, which you can do on any topic as long as it is not something directly covered in qualifications you are completing (eg. you couldn't use your coursework for a subject and your EPQ)

What do I gain from doing an EPQ?
You will gain research skills such as finding, analysing and evaluating sources, you will have to remain organised throughout the project and it will give you time to research into a topic you are interested in. Some universities will give you a reduced offer in the event you complete an EPQ in a relevant area to a good standard.

Which universities reduce offers if you complete an EPQ?
Most expect you to obtain an A*/A in your EPQ to reduce your offer, but universities such as Bath, Southampton, Liverpool, Birmingham and Sheffield often look at your EPQ

How does EPQ work in schools?
This varies depending on the school. Some complete it in year 12, some year 13 and some over the summer between the two. You typically will not have as much contact time for EPQ as you do for one of your subjects, and you won't usually have specific homework (certainly after the first few weeks) so have to be self motivating and independently working on it outside of lessons.

Should I take 4 subjects or 3+EPQ?
This really depends on how much you like your subjects and whether taking a 4th subject will lower your grades in the other 3. You should always try and get 3 grades at the highest level you can since most people take 3 so often places will only look at your first 3. If you don't need whatever your fourth subject is for the future (for instance, don't drop maths if you want to take a physics degree or similar!) then an EPQ may help both in terms of reducing your workload overall and improving your independent research skills which you often need for university courses if you want to go down that route. You should talk to someone at your school who knows you if you are unsure however

So should I take an EPQ?
Do you have a subject you are interested in researching? Do you think you could handle an independent project on top of your existing subjects? If the answer to these is yes then why not give it a go? Most schools make it relatively easy to drop if you don't like it in the first few weeks so try it

Got other questions? Ask them in the thread below

do Oxbridge value an EPQ? i've signed up but i'm unsure as to whether i should continue

I didn't myself but my friend did (and got 5A*s ). You just have to be super organised and keep on top of it. Also be prepared to drop it if it becomes too much because at the end of the day your A level grades are gonna be more important than your EPQ. If possible do something you really enjoy so at least some of it doesn't feel like work (that's what my friend did)

Hi! Does the topic of the EPQ matter? For example, if I wanted to do something like Computer Science in university and my EPQ is on something like architecture or fashion, how would that impact me?

Ultimately, it wouldn't. An EPQ that is in your chosen subject area for uni helps to demonstrate your passion and interest in that field. But if you would prefer to do it on something else then it still gives you the research skills that will benefit your university career regardless of the subject.

Can someone give me ideas for an EPQ to do with the heart pls?

In terms of Biology or in terms of something else (philosophy/theology/literature)?

Biology because i want to be a cardiac physiologist

Plenty of people each year want to know if they should take an EPQ, so here's TSR's guide to whether you should take it!

What is an EPQ?
An EPQ is an extended project qualification. It is a level 3 qualification, so you typically take it while doing A levels/Level 3 BTECs etc. It is an independent research project, which you can do on any topic as long as it is not something directly covered in qualifications you are completing (eg. you couldn't use your coursework for a subject and your EPQ)

What do I gain from doing an EPQ?
You will gain research skills such as finding, analysing and evaluating sources, you will have to remain organised throughout the project and it will give you time to research into a topic you are interested in. Some universities will give you a reduced offer in the event you complete an EPQ in a relevant area to a good standard.

Which universities reduce offers if you complete an EPQ?
Most expect you to obtain an A*/A in your EPQ to reduce your offer, but universities such as Bath, Southampton, Liverpool, Birmingham and Sheffield often look at your EPQ

How does EPQ work in schools?
This varies depending on the school. Some complete it in year 12, some year 13 and some over the summer between the two. You typically will not have as much contact time for EPQ as you do for one of your subjects, and you won't usually have specific homework (certainly after the first few weeks) so have to be self motivating and independently working on it outside of lessons.

Should I take 4 subjects or 3+EPQ?
This really depends on how much you like your subjects and whether taking a 4th subject will lower your grades in the other 3. You should always try and get 3 grades at the highest level you can since most people take 3 so often places will only look at your first 3. If you don't need whatever your fourth subject is for the future (for instance, don't drop maths if you want to take a physics degree or similar!) then an EPQ may help both in terms of reducing your workload overall and improving your independent research skills which you often need for university courses if you want to go down that route. You should talk to someone at your school who knows you if you are unsure however

So should I take an EPQ?
Do you have a subject you are interested in researching? Do you think you could handle an independent project on top of your existing subjects? If the answer to these is yes then why not give it a go? Most schools make it relatively easy to drop if you don't like it in the first few weeks so try it

Got other questions? Ask them in the thread below