Study Skills

Course summary

The EPQ serves to enrich and extend a student’s academic performance by enabling them to ‘learn how to learn’. A completed project carries with it, not only significant UCAS points (slightly more than an AS qualification), but also material to discuss when applying for a course, apprenticeship or work placement. Many universities value EPQ owing to the independent study skills it develops, with some reducing offers for an A/A* EPQ. The course has two elements; the Taught Element and the Independent Element. For the Taught Element, students are given a ‘supervisor’, whose role is to guide and advise pupils through their project, teaching them the necessary skills and providing feedback at key stages. The Taught Element meets the requirement of the exam syllabus that pupils should be taught the necessary generic study skills to successfully complete their independent work. This includes lessons on critical thinking, finding and using different sources of information, evaluating and applying sources, and presentation and reflection skills. This aspect of the course is delivered through four lessons per fortnight in a traditional class setting. Pupils are expected to work independently throughout the course, though they are guided in their work by their project supervisor. Pupils should expect to be developing their artefact or writing their long report during the Easter half term in the Lower Sixth. They may also plan research activities such as visiting galleries, museums and workplaces during Christmas half term or exeat weekends.