EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)
The EPQ is a standalone Level 3 qualification worth half an A-level: 120 guided learning hours, graded A* to E, and worth 28 UCAS Tariff points at A*. Four awarding bodies offer it - AQA (7993, marked out of 50), Pearson Edexcel (ZPJ30, out of 54), Cambridge OCR (H857, out of 60) and WJEC (out of 100) - and every board assesses the same four objectives: managing the project, using resources, developing and realising the outcome, and reviewing it. The marks follow the process as much as the product, which is why the production log and the presentation matter as much as the dissertation.
These guides start with the basics - what the EPQ is, whether it is worth doing and how universities treat its UCAS points - then follow a project through: choosing a title (with ideas for medicine, law, psychology, history, economics and engineering), planning with a Gantt chart, keeping the production log, the literature review and bibliography, artefact projects, the presentation, and what each board's mark scheme and grade boundaries actually reward. The board guides cover the AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR specifications in detail.
Read the mark scheme guide before you start writing, and the personal statement guide once your project is under way. When you have a draft of the log, the report or the slides, the EPQ grader reviews the bundle against your board's own assessment objectives.
Guides in this category
- What Is the Extended Project Qualification? EPQ Explained - Extended project qualification (EPQ): a Level 3 standalone worth up to 28 UCAS points. Learn how it works, what you produce, and if it's worth your time.
- Is the EPQ Worth It? An Honest Answer for Sixth-Formers - Is EPQ worth it? Get a direct answer on UCAS points, university admissions benefits, time cost and who should think twice before starting one.
- EPQ UCAS Points: What Each Grade Is Worth and Who Counts It - EPQ UCAS points run from 28 (A*) to 8 (E) - the same on every board. Find out how they count and how universities use your EPQ beyond the tariff.
- How to Write an EPQ Dissertation: Structure and Word Count - How to write an EPQ dissertation: word counts by board, section-by-section structure, referencing rules and a pre-submission checklist for Year 12-13.
- EPQ Ideas by Subject: 100+ Titles and How to Choose One - 100+ EPQ ideas grouped by subject, plus a four-move method to turn a vague topic into a focused question your supervisor will approve.
- EPQ Ideas for Medicine: 30+ Questions Beyond the Syllabus - 30+ EPQ ideas for medicine students, grouped by theme, with worked examples, feasibility advice, and tips on using your project in a medicine application.
- EPQ Ideas for Law: 30+ Questions on Justice, Rights and Crime - 30+ EPQ ideas for law students, grouped by area with research tips, three worked examples, and advice on using your project in a law application.
- EPQ Ideas for Psychology: 30+ Research Questions - EPQ ideas psychology students can actually research: 30+ questions by topic, with ethics guidance and tips for using your project in applications.
- EPQ Ideas for History: 30+ Questions Worth 5,000 Words - EPQ ideas history students can actually use: 30+ focused topics, feasibility tips, and advice on turning your project into a UCAS asset.
- EPQ Ideas for Economics and Business: 30+ Questions - EPQ ideas economics students can actually use: 30+ focused topics, feasibility tips, and advice on presenting your project in a UCAS application.
- EPQ Ideas for Engineering: 30+ Artefacts and Investigations - EPQ ideas engineering students actually use: 30+ artefact and investigation topics, worked examples, and tips for university applications.
- EPQ Examples: What A* Projects Look Like on Each Board - EPQ examples explained by board: AQA, OCR and Pearson mark schemes, A* grade criteria, worked outlines, and 12 focused title ideas across subjects.
- EPQ Mark Scheme Explained: All Four Assessment Objectives - EPQ mark scheme explained board by board: AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC. Marks, AOs, band logic and the mistakes that cost students grades.
- EPQ Grade Boundaries 2026: AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC Compared - EPQ grade boundaries 2026 for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC compared in one place - raw marks, percentages, UCAS points and what they mean for your project.
- EPQ Production Log: What to Write in It, Board by Board - What to write in your EPQ production log, which boards call it what, what marks it carries, and the mistakes that cost marks - AQA, Pearson, OCR and WJEC.
- EPQ Gantt Chart: How to Plan Your Project Week by Week - An EPQ Gantt chart turns your 30-week project into a clear timeline. Learn how to build one, structure each phase, and use it as AO1 evidence.
- EPQ Literature Review: How to Write One That Earns AO2 Marks - Learn how to write an EPQ literature review that satisfies AO2. Structure, source evaluation, common mistakes, and what moderators actually look for.
- EPQ Bibliography and Referencing: Harvard and Citations - EPQ bibliography guide: Harvard referencing examples, in-text citations, reference lists explained, and a pre-submission checklist for moderators.
- EPQ Presentation: What Is Assessed, Length and Questions - Everything you need to know about the EPQ presentation: length by exam board, structure, supervisor questions, slides, and what evidence to submit.
- EPQ Artefact Projects: Ideas, Report and Marking - What is an EPQ artefact, how long must the written report be, and how are marks split? Full guide with ideas by field and board-by-board rules.
- How to Write About Your EPQ in a Personal Statement - Learn how to write about your EPQ in a personal statement: what to say, when to write it, and how to link your project to your chosen course.
- AQA EPQ (7993): Specification, Production Log and Grades - AQA EPQ explained: assessment objectives, mark scheme, grade boundaries, production log rules and how the qualification is graded.
- Edexcel EPQ (ZPJ30): Units, Activity Log, Marking and Grades - Everything you need to know about the Pearson Edexcel EPQ (ZPJ30): four units, assessment objectives, activity log, grade boundaries and UCAS points.
- OCR EPQ (H857): Grade Boundaries, PPR and Marking - Everything you need on the OCR EPQ (H857): grade boundaries, Project Progression Record, marking criteria, assessment objectives, and examples.