Exam board: Pearson
The Extended project qualification is a one-year, standalone Level 3 qualification you take alongside your main programme. You choose a question, plan the work, research it and produce a project of your own.
It can be an extended essay or dissertation, an investigation or field study, a product or artefact, or a practical or creative outcome such as a performance.
A project supervisor guides you through the process, but the project is yours. You set the title, manage the timeline and decide how to answer the question you have set.
At Stockton you take it from the end of Year 12, alongside your main programme. There is one taught hour a week, then around six months of your own research before you submit.
Universities and employers rate the EPQ because it shows you can work on your own over a long period and take a subject beyond the classroom.
It develops the skills degree-level study asks for: independent research, academic writing, referencing, critical analysis and managing a substantial piece of work.
It also lets you study something your timetable does not cover, or test a career or degree subject before you commit to it. Some universities lower their offer for a strong EPQ grade, and it carries UCAS points in its own right.
Students who enjoy going deeper into a topic, ask questions, and want to build their independent study skills.
It suits anyone considering university or higher-level study, anyone with a career or subject they want to explore, and anyone who likes choosing what they study. You need to be organised and prepared to manage your own time.
Guidance covers every stage: choosing and refining an idea, writing a research question, planning, finding and evaluating sources, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, managing time, reviewing the work, and preparing the final presentation.
A dedicated supervisor supports and challenges you throughout.
“I really enjoyed the EPQ as it gave me the opportunity to explore a topic I’m genuinely interested in. I found it especially rewarding to have full control of the project and to see it develop from start to finish. It helped me to improve my research and independent learning skills to particularly in evaluating sources and understanding complex ideas. Overall it’s been a really valuable experience and has made me more confident as I head into my future studies.”
Elise, Year 12, 2026
The EPQ counts towards university offers and is a recognised marker of readiness for degree study, apprenticeships and work. It pairs with any route: medicine, law, engineering, the arts, and anything else where independent work matters.
Any A level or Level 3 course. Choose a project linked to one of your subjects, a career or degree you are considering, or something you cannot study on your timetable.
There is no exam. You are assessed on a production log, on the project itself, and on a presentation. The project is either a 5,000 word report, or a shorter report alongside an artefact, performance or product. It is graded A* to E.