The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) 2025-26

The course in an independent research project. Students will partake in taught sessions on topics such as ethics, research methods and constructing an argument. Students will partake in a range of individual research activities and will also attend a series of project review meetings, project proposal meetings. Students choose their own topic of interest and own project title. Students are given the choice of four styles of topic e.g. dissertation, artefact, report or performance. Students carry out a summative presentation.

All students cover the topics of constructing an academic argument, ethical dilemmas and research methods. After this students select their own topics of research. Students are advised to pick a topic that extends their knowledge in a specific subject area or a topic which will support their UCAS application.

As the course is offered to students from a range of A-level backgrounds it can lead to multiple destinations. The extended project is often used to support students university applications for competitive courses such as medicine, pharmaceuticals and teaching.

Students can progress onto university having demonstrated that they can use higher order thinking skills and work independently.

Students will need at least five 9-4 GCSE grades with a 6 in English or maths (depending on the extended project option which is selected).

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

Students will be informally assessed throughout the course via one to one tutorials, and the submission of key information e.g. project proposal forms and drafts of final projects. Students final assessment will be externally marked by the exam board. Students will be assessed on their final project piece and accompanying presentation.

During the academic year.

1 year course, delivered over 3 hours a week. The extended project runs alongside other A Level / Level 3 subjects in our sixth form.