can i just fail epq?

Hi, so basically my school forces us to either do epq or a 4th a-level, and i obviously didn't want to do a 4th a-level, so i had to do epq.

It's a massive waste of time and i would much rather spend my life doing something actually useful and relevant to put on my statement than a stupid epq no university cares about.
I am not aiming for oxbridge, more russell group, and i am predicted so far (yr 12) a's and a*'s in my subjects.

I have gotten to the point where i literally don't care what i get, but i was just wondering how hard is it to fail and how hard is it to just get a c or something? Could i put in the absolute bare minimum and still get a pass?
Also, if i did just fail, do i have to put it on my applications, and will universities care if i fail?

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Well there are reasons to do an EPQ, and things that you can do with one, that are not specifically aimed at university admissions. Arguably it's better to do a project you are personally interested in that works with the EPQ format just for yourself, rather than for any university admissions purpose.

I'm sure there are plenty of projects you could do that do fall into your areas of interest, so what are you interested in? Not just academically but in general! Music? Crafts? Art and design? Learning about the history or culture of a particular region/place/period etc? Certain media (e.g. films, TV series, books, games etc)? An environmental interest or activity you like doing? Etc...?

You could quite possibly find a suitable project within something like that which is unrelated to your A-levels and would just be an extension of something you like doing in your free time :smile:

Reply 2

KWad

Firstly, some universities care enough give reduced grade offers if you take an EPQ. And even those that don't do this take an interest in the EPQ if it is related to the course you are applying for (the prerequisite being of course that you mention the EPQ in your personal statement). So universities do care.

Secondly, an EPQ has value outside uni applications. It teaches you how to research a topic, how to present a convincing argument, etc. It could be worth doing for this alone. If the EPQ was completely worthless to everyone, it wouldn't exist and your school wouldn't waste time or money allowing students to do it.

But if you are dead set on dragging your heels and not doing the EPQ then my advice is just to ask your school to allow you to drop it. A fail or a poor mark will be on your academic record, and a bad grade in an EPQ looks a lot worse than not having an EPQ at all.

Reply 3

Falistinprincess

Original post

by fullsunjun

Hi, so basically my school forces us to either do epq or a 4th a-level, and i obviously didn't want to do a 4th a-level, so i had to do epq.
It's a massive waste of time and i would much rather spend my life doing something actually useful and relevant to put on my statement than a stupid epq no university cares about.
I am not aiming for oxbridge, more russell group, and i am predicted so far (yr 12) a's and a*'s in my subjects.
I have gotten to the point where i literally don't care what i get, but i was just wondering how hard is it to fail and how hard is it to just get a c or something? Could i put in the absolute bare minimum and still get a pass?
Also, if i did just fail, do i have to put it on my applications, and will universities care if i fail?