Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

NEW Applications for September 2026

Applications Open - Monday 3rd November 2025

Applications Close - Monday 5th April 2026 at 5pm

Entry Requirements - A minimum of six separately identifiable GCSE subjects at grade 6 or above, OR an average of grade 6 in the best six GCSE subjects achieved

At least a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics For most subjects at A Level, a grade 6 in the subject at GCSE is required. However, for A Level Mathematics a grade 7 is required, and for Further Mathematics a grade 8 is necessary

How to Apply - Applications can be made through Kent Choices

Please contact us directly if you have any questions - contact sixthformrecruitment@nks.kent.sch.uk

Open Evening

Thursday 15th January - 6pm - 8pm

Presentations at 6:30pm & 7:30pm

No booking necessary.

Open Mornings - Please visit our school website to book a slot for the open mornings www.nks.kent.sch.uk

Thursday 20th November 2025 9am - 12pm

Thursday 11th December 2025 9am -12pm

Please visit our website for information on consultation meeting if you would like to visit the school and talk to a member of the Sixth Form Team - https://www.nks.kent.sch.uk/page/?title=Sixth+Form+Admissions&pid=33

Course overview:​​

The EPQ is an additional qualification worth half an A level which allows students to demonstrate their passions and interests to universities and employers. The course is self-directed with students deciding on the area of study. They must plan, research and develop their idea to realise their finished product which takes the form of:​​

• A 5,000 word report, or an artefact (such as a computer programme, an architectural model or a piece of art) plus a 1,000 word report ​​

• A Production Log detailing the development of the project​​

• A short presentation of their findings​​

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Students are supported by individual supervisors and the Centre Coordinator, who delivers a programme of taught skills to aid successful completion of the project. These skills include:​​

• Developing a suitable title​​
• Project management to facilitate independent working​​
• Research techniques to enable the selection and evaluation of appropriate resources​​
• ​​Ethical research and the collection and analysis of data​​
• Formatting and structuring research reports to accepted academic standards​​
• Referencing and avoiding plagiarism ​​
• Presentation techniques​​

​AQA guidance states that EPQ students can expect to spend 120 hours over an academic year including the 30 hours of taught skills. Project content must not directly overlap with other subjects being studied.​​

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Exam format: ​​

Centre assessed on completion of essay/artefact, log and presentation. ​​

Entry requirements: ​​

Open to all students at the discretion of the sixth form team.​​

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Open to all students at the discretion of the sixth form team.

The EPQ is recognised by universities as evidence of independent research skills and is relevant to all courses.