• A  A  A  

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

It’s on your mind, constantly. Keep you up at night. Gives you chills.

Makes you smile. Infuriated. It’s a question that’s nagged you for years. And now, through the EPQ, you’ve finally got a chance to find the answer.

What’s the EPQ?

The EPQ is a chance to channel your inner Sherlock.

It’s a one-year, programme equivalent to half an A-level; where you’ll not only master undergraduate study skills, but also produce an extended essay or other significant creation relating to a subject of your choice.

Choose absolutely any subject – a specific aspect of your A-level or Applied course, a hobby, or something in which you want to achieve mastery.

It’s especially valuable for those who want to gain an early appreciation of undergraduate study skills.

After your EPQ proposal is accepted you’ll learn powerful study techniques and develop your project during weekly workshops with tutors, and lecturers from Manchester University.

The EPQ is split into four distinct sections.

You’ll first gain critical thinking skills, exploring how to question and challenge academic ideas.

Then you’ll learn robust independent research skills with experts from Manchester University before putting them into practice on your own project.

The academic extended writing phase comes next, at the end of which you’ll submit your EPQ project.

Finally you’ll explore how to become a confident, impactful speaker before delivering a 20-minute project presentation to a small audience of your peers. 

Throughout the EPQ you’ll be coached in the art of self-guided study, helping you acclimatise to university life. It’s your passion that will motivate you to succeed at your EPQ – but Xaverian tutors, and your peers, will be here every step of the way to help you get the job done.

How much work is involved?

You’ll keep a diary reflecting on your progress through the course. Your final piece of work will be a 5,000-word essay or an artefact supported by a written analysis.

What’s an artefact?

This is a piece of work that defines your EPQ progress. It’s essentially a creation that isn’t the 5,000-word essay.

Say for your EPQ you studied a dance. Your artefact might be choreographing and performing it. Or maybe you love art but couldn’t fit in an Art A-level. On your EPQ you could create your own watercolour painting, or a sculpture. Perhaps more than anything you want to start a business. Or create a life-size dinosaur made from graphene.

Is an EPQ for me?

We’re not going to candy-coat this. The EPQ is extra work. But you’ll gain immensely from the experience.

The EPQ doesn’t demand extraordinary academic talent. What it does require above all else is passion, curiosity and enthusiasm. And good planning skills.

If you’re great at managing your other studies and want to give yourself the best possible preparation for higher education while satisfying an urge to know more about your subject, the EPQ could be right up your street.

The EPQ is open to all Xaverian students on A-level or Applied courses.

How do I apply?

You’ll be hearing much more about the EPQ once you start studying at Xaverian.

You’ll have a few weeks to acclimatise to your new college lifestyle and workload before deciding whether an EPQ is right for you.

Then you’ll need to submit a short proposal about what you plan to research and create.

If you’re selected for the one-year programme, you’ll get started after the Christmas break in your first year.

What will I learn on the EPQ?

  • Project management
  • Presentation skills
  • Advanced problem solving techniques
  • Independent research, including evaluating information sources
  • Self-guided study
  • Writing an extended essay supported by Harvard referencing

Give me examples of essay and artefact projects...

Essays:

  • Has Horror, across the mediums of Literature and Film, always represented Societal Fear?
  • Nero: The man who ended the Julio-Claudian Dynasty
  • How has the research into the MMR vaccine affected modern society’s trust in scientific advances?

Artefacts:

  • How does the Music of Rock Climbing Movies Affect the Tension of the Movie?
  • Does Art have a role to play in Climate Change?
  • How have the tales of the Brothers Grimm been retold and developed through literature over time

These are simply examples of what has come before. There have been hundreds of EPQ titles over the years. The only one that matters is your own.

Interested in Applying for Xaverian?

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more