Extended Project Qualification at Shrewsbury College

What is the Extended Project?

  • The EPQ is an individual project worth half an A Level.
  • You choose what you would like to do it on.
  • It could link to a course, a hobby, or an intended career.
  • You can do a research-based project leading to a written report or a more practical one, such as a performance, artwork, design or a business or community venture.
  • It is open to year 2 and 3 level 3 students from all three campuses.

What does it involve?

  • You will have one 70-minute lesson each week at Welsh Bridge Campus.
  • You should also do about two hours of work a week on your own.
  • You will be taught some advanced study skills to help you as you do the project.
  • In lessons, your teacher will support you with your project
  • You do research, then write a written report and make a short presentation to your class at the end. Some students produce something practical, such as an artwork or community venture.
    • The course runs from 1st June 2026 to Easter 2027

Why might you do the Extended Project?

By doing an Extended Project, you are showing universities and employers that you can offer advanced skills, in-depth learning and independence.

It's a chance to develop an interest and explore something in detail. You will also develop important qualities such as reflection, self-confidence and critical thinking.

Many universities now include the Extended Project as part of their offer, such as by lowering it by a grade if you achieve a high grade in the project. It’s a great way to enhance your application for universities, apprenticeships and jobs.

Many of our students have found the EPQ to be rewarding and useful to them in many ways, however it is a major commitment and not for everyone. If you want to do this course, you must be sure that you can manage the commitment while maintaining high standards in your other courses.

What you need to do next

If you are considering doing this course, you must come to one of the meetings below to get more information and find out how to apply. They will be in Wakeman Hall, English Bridge Campus from 12.30-12.50 on:

  • Tuesday 10 March
  • Thursday 12 March
  • Tuesday 17 March

In May the college will be in touch to confirm whether you have a place on the course and to tell you when the lessons will be.

Any problems or questions, email Dave Caton, course coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – based in Severn building, Welsh Bridge Campus.

Past projects

Here are some titles from projects which our students have done in recent years, to give you a flavour of what can be done:

  • Making a chess computer game
  • Developing a cosmetics business
  • Setting up a choir to investigate the effects of singing on mood.
  • What is the most effective way to market clothes?
  • Writing a computer programme to translate French into English
  • Making a comic to highlight racism and sexism in the media
  • Writing the score for a horror film
  • Setting up a support group for people with a stammer
  • How can insomnia be tackled? (involving practical support for a group of people)
  • What is the most effective way to protest about climate change?
  • Should autistic children be taught in mainstream schools? (involved working in a primary school)
  • Is graffiti art?
  • Creating an online processing solution for cryptocurrencies
  • What are the effects of prison on young offenders?
  • How effective is the healthy eating programme in schools?
  • What is the best way to prevent erosion of a riverbank?
  • Should 16-year-olds be given the vote?
  • Do American television programmes portray male and female politicians differently?
  • Are computers better at flying aircraft than humans?

What our students think

We have asked our students to tell us what they got from the course. Here are some of their responses:

“The project really improved my independence. It helped me to take the initiative to get on with work and not rely on others for help.”

“I've really enjoyed completing my Extended Project, and it definitely added variety to my timetable. It has really helped me in preparation for university and has developed my organisational and public speaking skills.”

“The Extended Project provided me with the opportunity to communicate with members of parliament and my peers within College about what would make young people take more interest in politics. ”

“I really recommend the Extended Project as once you get involved in the research, it is fascinating finding out things you didn't know about a topic of your own choice!”

“The EPQ was incredibly helpful – it added to my portfolio and experience, and also where I have applied, accepts the Extended Project for UCAS points, so it will help me enormously to get on to the course itself.”

“I received an unconditional offer from my first choice university, and four other offers and three of them said it was due to my extended project as it proved I have a real interest in the subject and have skills needed at university - self-motivation, research, background reading, referencing, etc.”