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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Essays:
Artefacts:
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.
Two Year 12 students at Xaverian College, Caitlin Bowler and Nadia Bishop-Broadhurst entered The British Association for American Studies (BAAS) School Essay Prize earlier this …
This year we celebrated 160 years of Xaverian! There have been many changes over the years, however the fundamentals have stayed the same. The zeal …
Students at Xaverian College had the opportunity to showcase their creative talents at an end-of-year Art Exhibition, which took place last week (15th June 2022). …
Two Year 12 students at Xaverian College, Caitlin Bowler and Nadia Bishop-Broadhurst entered The British Association for American Studies (BAAS) School Essay Prize earlier this …
This year we celebrated 160 years of Xaverian! There have been many changes over the years, however the fundamentals have stayed the same. The zeal …
Students at Xaverian College had the opportunity to showcase their creative talents at an end-of-year Art Exhibition, which took place last week (15th June 2022). …
