Skip to Main Content

Schools and colleges

A guide for visitors to Sheffield Hallam University's libraries from local schools and colleges.

What is the Extended Project Qualification?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is equivalent to an AS-level. 

You decide on a topic, carry out some research, and then produce a piece of work. It's an opportunity to think about what you want to study and do it, and develop your skills along the way.

 

Limitations of this guide:

If you are undertaking an EPQ, you will need to follow the advice and guidance of the School, College or Sixth Form that you are enrolled with. This guide is a concise overview and only provides introductory information.

What are the benefits of undertaking an EPQ?

Working on your project will give you an opportunity to practise and demonstrate your:

  • independent learning
  • research skills
  • problem solving
  • writing skills
  • critical thinking skills. 

Ethics and the EPQ

The Wellcome Trust has produced a guide on research ethics for students working on EPQs. 

The guide is short and clear and highlights the questions that researchers should ask themselves before starting their research

What is the Wellcome Trust?

The Wellcome Trust is a research active organise that also advocate to solve global health challenges.

Examples of topics

When you're trying to think of a topic, it's important to pick something that you're really interested in.

Here are a few examples of topics that have been considered for an EPQ.

  • Care for dementia patients.
  • Educational provision for autistic students.
  • Fashion photography.
  • Macs versus PCs.
  • Tattooing.
  • Witchcraft in the 16th century.
  • Mathematics of Long Sword dancing.

You also need to make sure that you can access the information you need. If you are not able to access the information you need... it will be challenging to research your EPQ. 

You also need to make sure that the information you need to answer your question exists which means you need to search for information before confirming your research question.

 

How do I find information in Sheffield Hallam Library?

You can use Library Search to find out whether there are enough resources for your project on a particular topic.

 

What can I access?

You will only be able to access the print books and any open access resources. This means that any subscription based information that requires a login will not be accessible to you because you are not a Sheffield Hallam student.