Build an excellent foundation for university studies at Network International School

We are absolutely delighted that from the next academic year Network International School Yangon will be the first school in Myanmar to offer Pearson Edexcel's Extended Project Qualification.

What is the Extended Project Qualification? 

The Extended Project Qualification, or EPQ, is a research-based project that allows learners to study a topic area which extends their learning in their own area of study and goes beyond the A Level curriculum.

An EPQ can come in many forms and each student will decide what is best for their own project. Through Pearson Edexcel, students complete one of four tasks: 

• Dissertation: “A theoretical written project on any topic presenting an argument, eg research into a biological, historical or environmental issue”.
• Investigation/Field Study: “A practical investigatory project involving the collection of data, eg a scientific investigation, a geographical study of erosion, a biological study of pollution, a statistical survey”.
• Performance: “Development of practical skills resulting in a performance, eg performing music, drama, sport”.
• Artefact: “For example, making a painting or sculpture, designing a piece of furniture or a garment, creating a website, solving an engineering/construction problem, producing a piece of graphic design”.

How does Network support students with their EPQ?

As the EPQ is an independent research project, students have a teacher as an EPQ mentor. They will support students during the research process, but they are not a specialist in the field that is being researched. They are there to guide students, not teach them the content. The student does that for themselves.

Benefits of taking EPQ for students

At Network International School, our fundamental reason for offering the EPQ is that we believe that it is an outstanding tool for helping students to prepare for university studies and the wider world. This is in terms of both the research that is required and the nature of the final piece.

Undertaking the EPQ allows each individual student to take a deep dive into an area of study that is of academic interest to them. It encourages students to be academically curious and to engage with material that they might otherwise miss out on. Typically, the area of focus is likely to be linked to what they want to study at university. Therefore, it can help to cement that thought and to help students to get excited about the subject, while also allowing them to engage with, and evaluate, material that will help in personal statements and interviews for university applications.  

What universities around the world say about the EPQ?

Although universities take different approaches to the Extended Project Qualification, they certainly recognise the benefits of students completing the qualification. Some universities like UCL "view the EPQ as a good thing for students to talk about in the Personal Statement (demonstrating learning outside of classroom, interviews etc.)." It can also be used effectively at interview when asked to demonstrate the completed exploration into the subject. 

Some universities, like the University of Loughborough "value an EPQ and it would be used if we needed to be flexible on a new miss student for example on results day."

The EPQ is worth half an A Level for UCAS tariff points, so if a university requires a certain number of tariff points for an offer, then an EPQ will contribute towards this, along with your A Level subjects.

Universities like the University of York or Queen Mary's University, London are prepared to offer lower grades with an EPQ: "EPQ is useful as students would normally receive a reduced offer where it will be one grade below our typical offer if they achieve the asking EPQ grade."

It is the University of Cambridge’s view that summarises why we believe the EPQ is so important and why we have introduced it to our Sixth Form Programme from 2023 onwards: "We welcome the introduction of the Extended Project and would encourage you to undertake one as it will help you develop independent study and research skills and ease the transition from school/college to higher education" (University of Cambridge). 

We are extremely excited that our Sixth Form students will be able to partake in the Extended Project Qualification from the start of the next academic year. It will help them to improve their study skills for A Levels, for undergraduate studies at university, and beyond. 

Jon Barker
Head of Secondary
Network International School