Study Skills

Course summary

Universities continue to value the AQA Extended Project Qualification as a means to demonstrate many of the skills of independent study and research requisite for success as an undergraduate. The EPQ is thus a significant addition to an A-level portfolio which can deliver considerable intellectual satisfaction, enhance and widen the perspective through which one views a given topic, and encourage students to think across the boundaries of individual subjects. By developing high-level research and critical analysis skills, an EPQ may significantly boost self-confidence through the ability to tackle university-style work to a high level, as well as providing many with excellent interview preparation. We encourage students to follow this route where appropriate as an additional fourth subject. We believe this will best engender the mixture of independent research and university-style supervision appropriate to the project. Some universities may make discounted A-level offers based on success with the EPQ. It has been known in the recent past for some universities to lower offers by two grades, should a candidate achieve a particular grade in the EPQ. A recent example is of a student receiving an offer from Newcastle at AAB. If they achieve a grade A in the EPQ, their offer becomes BBB.