The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is offered as an additional qualification in year 12. An EPQ allows a student to embark on a self-directed and self-motivated project with support from a member of staff as a mentor.
It is an independent research task and involves students either writing an extended essay of about 5,000 words or creating a product with an accompanying shorter essay of about 1,000 words. Students must choose a topic, plan, research and develop an idea before the final submission.
As part of the qualification students are required to complete a logbook, reflect and self-evaluate their progress, and make a presentation to their peers and assessors for about 10–15 minutes. The Extended Project Qualification is equivalent to 50% of an A level, part of level three of the National Qualifications Framework and graded A*-E.