Epq usefulness

artistic-alignme

Is epq really useful for applying university?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by artistic-alignme

Is epq really useful for applying university?

Really useful? No. Somewhat useful? Potentially.

It is useful in two scenarios:

1. Some universities will reduce their A level grade requirements if you do well in the EPQ. So you might get an offer which says, "AAA at A level, or AAB at A level if you achieve at least a grade A in the EPQ". This doesn't apply to all courses or all universities. Whether the effort is worth the one grade drop is debatable. Especially as it might take less effort simply to study / revise more for your A levels, and so not need the offer grade reduction anyway.

2. Some universities accept UCAS points as meeting their entry requirements, in which the points from an EPQ can contribute to your overall points. (An EPQ is worth half an A level, in terms of UCAS points.)

Reply 2

UniofExeter Rep

Official Rep

Original post by artistic-alignme

Is epq really useful for applying university?

It is a good question - it really depends on the universities you are thinking of applying to. Some universities (including us) will provide a lower offer to applicants who meet our predicted grades but also achieve an A in their EPQ. Also universities looking at tariff points may well look favourably upon an EPQ as part of your tariff score. You would need to check with the universities you were thinking of applying to or read through their Admissions policy to see how the EPQ is considered as part of an application - but in short it can be useful.

I would also say it is worth considering the transferable skills you will develop by doing the EPQ (time management, independent research, organisation ect). When at university there will be increased emphasis on independent study and research which is what you will be required to do as part of your EPQ. This will be something you can talk about in your personal statement, whilst also helping you to prepare for university and this style of working/learning. So there is some potential benefit to the admissions process, but also a longer benefit to you once you start studying there.

So I would say that it can be useful to applying to university, but it will depend on where you are thinking of applying, and like with a lot of things you will probably get as much out of it as you put in. I guess what I should also say is it wouldn't be good to do an EPQ if you were feeling like you were stretched thin with your subjects (and only you will know if this is the case) just in the hope to give yourself an advantage in getting a place at a university. If you were trying to weigh up where best to place your time if you are feeling under pressure than it probably would be worth seriously considering whether taking on the EPQ was worth it for you.

Some others might give different perspectives, but hopefully some useful thoughts here for you to mull over as you decide what is best for you.

Melody
University of Exeter Student Recruitment Team

Reply 3

tiresome-gene

A top grade in your EPQ is worth the equivalent of half an A-level (28 UCAS points), which could be invaluable when applying to universities. Therefore, it is a qualification worth considering

Reply 4

neptune_

i would say yes!

for the actual applying to university, it can get you a reduced offer at quite a lot of places (though do check specifics). this will usually depend on what grade you get in the epq - russell groups seem to ask for an A or above to be considered for a grade reduction, whereas some other places only require a C.

depending on what school year you're in, you'll really have to consider if the undertaking of another subject is worth it. i would also see how many of your current subjects have coursework and when they do that too. trying to balance 3 lots of coursework, ucas applications, revision of year 12 content, preparation for year 13 class tests AND an extended project qualification is a lot to try and do. i completed mine in year twelve and am so glad i did (and i would heavily recommend doing so)!

lastly, the skills you get from completing an epq can be very useful. i knew that, by the time i'd be applying or going to university, i'd have completed a university-level (ish) piece of work which made me much more confident in my application. plus! you're taught different research methods, different locations to find secondary resources, the structuring of an extended essay, time management, analysis, and presentation skills - all of which, i would imagine are relevant to the skills required to do well at university on most, if not all, courses.

all in all, it's really up to you. if you're working at something like ABB and want to get into places offering AAA, it can be a really good tool for getting those reduced grades, especially if you don't fit contextuals. just consider what your workload for the next year is going to be like, and make sure you pick a topic you're enthusiastic about enough to stick with it for a whole school year.