The Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a standalone qualification designed to extend and develop students' abilities beyond the A Level syllabus and prepare for university or their future career. The EPQ is worth half an A Level and is a qualification which many universities look at when giving offers.
The EPQ allows students to lead their own projects. Students plan and carry out research on a topic that they've chosen and isn't covered by their other qualifications. They can take inspiration from something touched on in class or something personal and unrelated to their studies. They then use this research to produce a written report and, in the case of practical projects, an artefact or a production. Students are required to spend 120 hours on their project, 30 hours of which is taught.