The EPQ provided the opportunity for pupils to extend their abilities beyond the A Level syllabus, stand out and prepare for University or future career.
In completing an EPQ pupils learn about subjects that they do not cover in lessons and/or participate in topics that they might not otherwise study. It can also be useful to earn extra UCAS points.
This is an independent research task and involves either writing an extended essay of about 5,000 words or creating a product with an accompanying shorter essay of about 1,000 words. There is a free choice of topic, this must show that it is academically useful, either related to current course of study, or future career.