Should I do an EPQ?

The way I see it there are 2 main benefits 1) the UCAS points and 2) writing about it on my personal statement (which may be slight more difficult bc my school do it in Y13)

I’m also not sure what I would write about bc I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the course I want to (paramedic science) bc of health stuff and I’d want it to relate to my uni course.

I did a research project at the beginning of the school year that my school requires we do, and enjoyed that.

However I’m also worried about how much it would distract from my alevel subjects, it would be finished at the end of March so I’d be done before my exams start but idk how significantly it would effect my courses or how much time it takes up.

Thoughts? Any advice?

Reply 1

ash122

Original post

by Ameliark

The way I see it there are 2 main benefits 1) the UCAS points and 2) writing about it on my personal statement (which may be slight more difficult bc my school do it in Y13)
I’m also not sure what I would write about bc I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the course I want to (paramedic science) bc of health stuff and I’d want it to relate to my uni course.
I did a research project at the beginning of the school year that my school requires we do, and enjoyed that.
However I’m also worried about how much it would distract from my alevel subjects, it would be finished at the end of March so I’d be done before my exams start but idk how significantly it would effect my courses or how much time it takes up.
Thoughts? Any advice?

I have almost completed my EPQ, and I found that it didn't take me too much time and was a great way to boost my UCAS application. Even though my EPQ isn't directly related to my Uni course, most of the Uni's I've looked at have still taken it into consideration. I would say that it's definitely worth trying, and you could always drop it if you can't handle it alongside your A-levels

Reply 2

spicy toast.56

Original post

by Ameliark

The way I see it there are 2 main benefits 1) the UCAS points and 2) writing about it on my personal statement (which may be slight more difficult bc my school do it in Y13)
I’m also not sure what I would write about bc I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the course I want to (paramedic science) bc of health stuff and I’d want it to relate to my uni course.
I did a research project at the beginning of the school year that my school requires we do, and enjoyed that.
However I’m also worried about how much it would distract from my alevel subjects, it would be finished at the end of March so I’d be done before my exams start but idk how significantly it would effect my courses or how much time it takes up.
Thoughts? Any advice?

Current Y13 with a medicine offer here (worth mentioning as both going into health courses at uni), I did my EPQ last year on cancer treatment in the NHS and mamaged to get full marks (50/50 A*). It was alot of work to do well in espceially considering that I was working part time and doing 4 a-levels, but i was so please wit hthe result in the end!! I did go into it very naïve tho, i really didn't expect it to be as demanding as it was for the A* I got. It is a really good thing to include in your personal statement as shows dedication to that course in particular, and does give you a good level of exposure into the field you wish to go into (I learnt alot about structure of NHS and diagnosis standard which I was able to use in my perosnal statement and interviews). So yeah, if its worth it or not depends on the person, it is alot of work and can take focus away from your other a-levels but if your course gives offers based on UCAS points it could be really helpful ! For example, you could investigate: current state of NHS ambulance services and impacts on patients (long delays, waiting in hospitals for patients to be sent to wards), Viability of private ambulance companies. Or with a wider scope (moving away from paramedics), is the new labour gov. and their elective reform plan enough to save the NHS, In light of the current backlog - is privatisation a more viable option to fix UK healthservices, How are them ost vulnerble groups impacted by long GP waiting times... etc.

Hope this helps !!

Reply 3

Layla.ahmad

Original post

by Ameliark

The way I see it there are 2 main benefits 1) the UCAS points and 2) writing about it on my personal statement (which may be slight more difficult bc my school do it in Y13)
I’m also not sure what I would write about bc I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the course I want to (paramedic science) bc of health stuff and I’d want it to relate to my uni course.
I did a research project at the beginning of the school year that my school requires we do, and enjoyed that.
However I’m also worried about how much it would distract from my alevel subjects, it would be finished at the end of March so I’d be done before my exams start but idk how significantly it would effect my courses or how much time it takes up.
Thoughts? Any advice?

Hi!
I didn’t do an EPQ, but my close friends did. At my school, we complete it in Year 12, which is helpful because they were able to include it in their personal statements. Doing it in Year 13 might not be as beneficial since you probably won’t finish it before submitting your UCAS application.

It also depends on the universities you’re applying to. Some don’t place much value on the EPQ, while others might consider it for additional UCAS points or to strengthen your application. I’d recommend checking the entry requirements on UCAS or university websites to see if they value the EPQ for paramedic science. If they don’t, it might not be worth the extra workload.

You mentioned being worried about it distracting you from your A-levels. My friend actually said the EPQ helped her develop time management skills and learn how to balance A-levels with extra responsibilities. But keep in mind she did hers in Year 12, when the workload is lighter compared to Year 13. Year 13 comes with university applications, mocks, assessments, and A-level prep, which can be overwhelming.

Also, if you don’t achieve at least a B or an A in your EPQ, it’s unlikely to make a significant impact on your application. So, you’ll need to put in the effort to secure a high grade. I’d recommend asking your teacher what you need to include to achieve above a C. If you feel like you won’t be able to reach that level, it might not be worth the time and energy, as it won’t add much value to your application.

So, I’d suggest weighing the pros and cons carefully:
• Pros: Extra UCAS points, potential boost to your personal statement, improved time management skills.
• Cons: Added workload in an already busy year, minimal impact if you don’t get a high grade, and it might not significantly affect your university application if the course doesn’t consider it.
Hope this helps!

Reply 4

LittleFire10

Original post

by Ameliark

The way I see it there are 2 main benefits 1) the UCAS points and 2) writing about it on my personal statement (which may be slight more difficult bc my school do it in Y13)
I’m also not sure what I would write about bc I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the course I want to (paramedic science) bc of health stuff and I’d want it to relate to my uni course.
I did a research project at the beginning of the school year that my school requires we do, and enjoyed that.
However I’m also worried about how much it would distract from my alevel subjects, it would be finished at the end of March so I’d be done before my exams start but idk how significantly it would effect my courses or how much time it takes up.
Thoughts? Any advice?

To add on to what others have said, two unis have given me reduced offers if I get an A in my EPQ, so that’s another factor to consider.

Reply 5

Isobel.jr06

I think they can definitely be useful for all the reasons mentioned previously but it is also just a good way to start getting more used to academic writing and things more similar to what you are likely to do at university. You can do it on any topic even if it isn't fully relevant to your university choice as well so go for a topic you think will be useful and you will also enjoy researching and writing about, my EPQ was related to the prison system and i'm now studying adventure and environment so very different but the EPQ helped with my writing and reading skills as well as referencing so has still been useful.

Reply 6

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Ameliark

The way I see it there are 2 main benefits 1) the UCAS points and 2) writing about it on my personal statement (which may be slight more difficult bc my school do it in Y13)
I’m also not sure what I would write about bc I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the course I want to (paramedic science) bc of health stuff and I’d want it to relate to my uni course.
I did a research project at the beginning of the school year that my school requires we do, and enjoyed that.
However I’m also worried about how much it would distract from my alevel subjects, it would be finished at the end of March so I’d be done before my exams start but idk how significantly it would effect my courses or how much time it takes up.
Thoughts? Any advice?

hi!

i hope you are doing well🙂 i found an EPQ to be quite time consuming and it is essential to do lots of planning ahead to ensure it doesn't impact too much of your a level. it is essential to have a passion for it as well as you will be spending a lot of time as mentioned!

hope this helps!
rachel (uos student rep)