How the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) strengthens a university application

Many universities recognize EPQ as a valuable preparation for higher education, with some of them offering reduced offer requirements for students who achieve well (A*- A) in their projects. The EPQ helps students make the transition between A-level study and the type of work typically undertaken at undergraduate level. As well as the skills mentioned above the full programme covers academic essentials such as referencing, research ethics and oral presentations.

It also allows students to demonstrate their interest in a topic beyond the A-level curriculum content. By doing EPQ, students demonstrate their ability to interact independently with their subject, which is something universities highly value in their applicants.

cife colleges are specialist sixth form colleges, with a strong history of helping students earn excellent grades in EPQ. Experienced supervisors know what is needed to produce a high-quality project and provide structured support during the process. At cife colleges, students benefit from a range of expert input that can include the following:

• Research classes covering all academic skills, project management and academic writing.
• Specialised guidance on topic selection, structuring research and preparing arguments.
• Individual weekly consultation with supervisors who have a lot of experience in monitoring EPQ projects.
• Personalised feedback to help students develop and strengthen their project.
• The use of PROJECT Q as a specialised software to help students in their project progress.
• References for academic applications, which helps students highlight their EPQ in personal statements and interviews.

The EPQ process requires students to identify a topic, plan their research and produce a final effect, most usually in a report of 5,000 words or a practical artefact with 1,500 accompanying report. Students also complete a full production log in which they reflect on their progress and show how they’ve developed their ideas over time.

The evaluation of the project is based on:

• Project planning and management
• Use of research and resources
• Analysis and evaluation
• Presentation and reflection

At cife colleges, we understand that managing an independent project can be challenging and that’s why our experienced supervisors are here to guide you at every stage. In addition to individual consultations, students benefit from structured research classes that cover key academic skills such as:

1. Writing for an academic audience and how this affects content, structure, and even the tone of writing.

2. Making efficient use of resources – how to identify and use primary and secondary resources and understand how to assess their credibility in relation to authenticity, research value and academic style.

3. Referencing, bibliographies and footnotes – the different referencing systems and how to present a bibliography.

4. Ethics and risk assessment – the ethical concerns within research including primary research and live participants. The dangers of plagiarism and how to identify potential risk areas where plagiarism might occur during research.

5. Academic essay structure and writing style: the key characteristics of academic writing. This includes synthesising information and accurate paraphrasing.

6. Effective time management – how to establish a critical path analysis and creating a matrix for the purposes of time management.

7. Editing an academic essay – the ways to edit an academic essay to make it more effective in terms of presenting information.

8. Reflective thinking – the importance of reflective thinking in research-based practice.

9. Presentation skills – the key essentials of delivering a comprehensive and effective academic presentation including everything from oral delivery to visual aids.

10. Final presentation of research proposal – each student delivers a presentation that incorporates several of the skills that they have learnt. This enables them to show themselves as a competent and independent researcher ready for the demands of EPQ.

This combination of independent study and educational sessions ensures students develop the skills necessary to succeed in EPQ and beyond.

EPQ is one of the best ways to show true interest in a topic. Admissions tutors are always looking for evidence that students have been learning beyond the classroom and EPQ provides an excellent opportunity to do so.

By including the EPQ in a personal statement, students can highlight their ability to work independently, conduct detailed research and develop structured arguments, all of which are the skills needed at university.

In addition, EPQ can be the basis of academic interview questions. Many students realise that their project becomes a major topic in interviews, allowing them to discuss a specific area in detail and demonstrate their knowledge and interest.

If you’re considering EPQ, studying at a cife College can be your best chance of success. With specialised advice, classes, structured support and a history of high academic success, our colleges provide an ideal environment for students to develop their research skills and achieve excellent results.

For more information, contact cife’s closest college and find out how we can help you succeed in EPQ.