A level choices- better to do more A levels or an EPQ?

Is it better to do:
4 a levels + EPQ
3 A levels + EPQ
Or 4 A levels, no EPQ
I want to get into a top university, possibly Oxbridge, so what’s valued the most?

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 1

ConfusedPenguin1

I'd imagine that 4 A levels and EPQ looks best - if your end results are sufficiently impressive, of course.

3 A levels and EPQ tends to look better than 4 A levels and no EPQ (or so I've been told). Apparently Oxbridge and others seem to prefer the heavily independent and resourceful nature of the EPQ to another A level. The biggest exception, apparently, is when all 4 A levels complement your intended degree.

However I've also been told that the decision rarely comes down to this difference, and is instead based more on the actual outcomes plus interviews, subject tests etc.

So which combination you choose should ultimately be based on how well they suit you - how certain are you about your future career path? What are the requirements for your intended career path/how many subjects does it relate to/how many subjects can be helpful in that career? Do you think you can adequately tackle 4 A levels, plus EPQ, without compromising your grades? The answers to these questions will probably make more of a difference than any slight biases in uni admissions.