Study Skills

Course summary

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) allows a student to embark on a largely self-directed and self-motivated project. Students must choose a topic, plan, research and develop their idea and decide on their finished product. The EPQ is highly valued by universities. It encourages creativity and curiosity. A project topic may be directly related to a student’s main study program but should look beyond the specification. It can, alternatively, explore a completely different area of knowledge. A finished project may take the form of: • a research-based written report of c.5000 words • a production* (e.g. a charity event, a fashion show or sports event etc.) • an artefact* (e.g. a piece of art, a computer game or realized design) (*A written report of c.1000 words must accompany these options) Supported by guided learning of research methods and the acquisition of skills of project management and critical thinking, students record their project process in a Production Log. The process of recording and completing a project is as important as the finished product. Together with a presentation of their project findings to a non-specialist audience, the Production Log and Product are all assessed.