My name is Ksenia. I am studying for the A-Level program on the INTO Newton Program at the University of East Anglia, where I started my studies in September 2022.
What is EPQ?
The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is a unique academic course equivalent to AS level, which is half of an A-level. This course offers students the opportunity to choose and research a topic of interest that is related to their future profession or academic program. The project can be presented in various formats, such as a dissertation or a scientific research.
The EPQ is important for students as it develops essential skills needed for university and future careers. Working on the project teaches independence, self-discipline, self-control, as well as the ability to collect and analyze information on the chosen topic. This course not only helps students prepare better for university but also allows them to delve deeper into an area of knowledge that interests them.
How did it all start?
At the beginning of my first year of study, our entire group was informed that there is a certain report called “EPQ” – extended project qualification. We had special courses where they explained to us in general how to write this work. We were told about the EPQ structures, which topics are better to choose, how to write references, etc. EPQ as a whole includes a report, a logbook (the so-called diary, where all changes to the topic, sources, structure are recorded) and a presentation that must be done at the very end.
Eventually, the report and Logbook are sent to experts who give the final grade (from A to D). EPQ is important for the Personal Statement that is sent to universities upon admission. We were told that EPQ greatly increases the chances of admission to good universities. Of my entire group, only two people agreed, including me.
Why I opted in for an EPQ?
Since I am applying to the Faculty of Economics, I wanted to choose a topic that somehow relates to economics. I was offered to conduct research about some cities in Russia, explaining that I myself am from Moscow. I immediately asked if I was allowed to use Russian sources (websites/magazines/books where I could search for information about Moscow). In response to my question, I was told that it is allowed.
As I mentioned, in addition to the research work, EPQ also includes a logbook, in which you also need to include the reason why a particular topic was chosen. The time period for writing EPQ is from October to April – May. I chose the topic “What New York interventions can be introduced in Moscow to solve the problem of congested roads?”
How did it all go wrong?
Issue #1: The project topic was coordinated and agreed with my supervisor and economics teacher in advance. However, it turned out that this topic is too narrow for research. This is the first problem I encountered when writing this work.
Issue #2: The second problem was that many Russian sites only worked with VPNs. I shared this with my supervisors, and they said that these sites could still be used, but you need to write “works only with VPN” in the reference list.
Issue #3: The third problem I faced was time management. Unfortunately, during the first academic year, I was too busy preparing for AS exams, so I didn’t have enough time to write and pass the EPQ by May. My deadline has been pushed back to November 2023. All summer long, I’ve been diligently writing EPQ, simultaneously sending it to my supervisor for verification so that he would give me feedback on what is better to change. By the end of October, my project was fully ready, as well as the Logbook (which is just as important as the EPQ itself). In the last week before passing the EPQ, I had to prepare a presentation about how I went through this path, what problems arose, how I solved them, what I would like to change next time, etc.
Why I dropped the EPQ?
When my presentation was almost ready, I was scheduled to meet with the curator to discuss whether I was doing everything right in my presentation. On the day of the meeting, my supervisor decided to scroll through my EPQ report in front of me and said that my work was still rated as B, which didn’t suit me at all, because it could ruin my UCAS application. The question of how to improve my grade was answered vaguely and without any specific details. I felt there was some miscommunication or moving of the goalpost, as during the writing of the report and its verification, I repeatedly contacted my supervisor and asked if everything was exactly fine. I was told that I had nothing to worry about.
What happened next was an unpleasant, during the meeting with the curator, he saw that there were Russian cyrillic alphabet in my reference list. So he asked if I had used Russian sources, to which I replied “yes.” I was told that Russian sources could not be used, although they had previously said that it was allowed. I do not know what the reason for this change in the rules is (although I am not sure that the rules prescribe such restrictions on references?).
As a result, I contacted my EPQ supervisor the day before the presentation and informed him that I was not going to hand over this project.
Any experience is a learning opportunity. What are the lessons learnt?
Since I won’t be able to specify the EPQ project in my personal statement or use it for my UCAS applicant profile, I feel like I wasted my time. I could have spent the precious time on another super curricular activity or valuable work experience, and this is the most disappointing moment. On the other hand, I gained valuable experience and various skills that would be super useful for my assignments e.g. referencing and citations, research information gathering and analysis skills as well as academic writing competency.
The most valuable lesson however, is that next tme I will be getting any feedback and instructions from tutors and other academic members of staff, I will make sure these are recorded in writing. The written track record will enable me to refer to the assigment specifications and defend my work.
