Based at the Workington Academy and The Whitehaven Academy sites.

Examination Board

Edexcel

Entry Criteria

Grade 5 required in GCSE English Language

What is an EPQ?

The Extended Project Qualification, or EPQ, is offered by many schools, and it’s a standalone qualification that’s a bit like a mini-thesis. You’re allowed to choose whatever topic you like – it doesn’t even have to be related to your A-levels – so it’s about as flexible as you can get. Universities love the idea of the EPQ as it prepares young students for Higher education.

What you have to do to get an EPQ?

Once you’ve chosen your title- your task is to conduct detailed academic research into that topic. You then have two options:

1. Write a 5,000 word Dissertation
2. Create a ‘production’ or ‘artefact’ and write a 1,000 word report.

Whichever option you chose, you’ll also give a presentation lasting ten to fifteen minutes, to audience of people who aren’t specialists in your chosen topic.

Course Content

On completion of this unit a learner should:

  • Be able to identify, plan and manage a dissertation project
  • Be able to undertake research, collect evidence and select information using appropriate methodology
  • Be able to interpret evidence, draw conclusions and write up results into a finished dissertation
  • Be able to present findings, conclusions and an evaluation to an audience.

Possible EPQ titles

  • Is the Death Penalty as is practiced in some American States an infringement of Human Rights?
  • Has the UK government and World Health Organisation dealt with the Ebola Outbreak efficiently and does it remain a threat?
  • How do black holes affect the surrounding galaxies?
  • How might AI influence medicine?
  • How is architecture affected by the need to make buildings earthquake‐resistant?
  • Is the widening income distribution gap as detrimental to society as it appears?
  • What explanations are there regarding the bee population decline and how could this problem be resolved?
  • To what extent is hydroelectricity the answer to meeting the renewable energy targets?
  • Does the use of virtual reality in therapy provide benefits when treating anxiety related disorders?
  • To what extent does a financial crisis increase the pressure for reform of the government?
  • Should prostitution be legalised in the UK and how would this be legislated to protect employees?
  • What should we do to conserve coral reefs?
  • Can retail businesses survive without the use of AI for marketing?
  • What are the best conservation programmes for successful reintroduction to the wild?
  • Mass market protein supplements: Getting you ripped… or ripped off?
  • Is democracy a key factor to positive attitudes towards homosexuality in Russia and the UK?
  • Did the media representation of immigrants change British politics?
  • How is personalised medicine transforming Healthcare?
  • Should Human memory be used in court if science demonstrates our brains overwrite our memories?
  • Does gaming cause anger management issues in young people and why might this be the case?