For example, is your topic dependent
on a lot of support from others? An
EPQ requires independent study.
Time
I am planning on dedicated lots of time, especially over summer, as personally I feel
like a lot of time and research is required to get my EPQ to the highest standard.
Have you chosen a topic you can complete within the available time?
Think about your ‘Current knowledge’, the‘Ease of finding information’,
and the project's ‘Achievability’.
Achievability
Consider the scope of your topic.
In other words, is your idea both big
enough and small enough to make a
convincing project within the word count?
Personal interests
You will be spending a lot of time on
your EPQ, so choose a topic that
interests you!
Help available
How much help do you
need with finding out
about the topic?
Are you certain that there is
enough support for your choice
of topic?
Your motivation
I am intending on studying a mathematics degree at University and I
would like to get a deeper insight into how maths is applied in the real
world and how skills like problem solving are used in real life
situations.
Yes it does enhance my UCAS personal statement because it is related to
what I intend on studying.
Ease of finding
information
Investigate how easy it is to find
the information you need.
If this is difficult, you may need to
rethink the topic.
Current coursework
Remember your EPQ cannot repeat work you
have done in your A-Level or other coursework.
It can extend something you have already
investigated, but it MUST NOT be the same.
Ethics
Is your project ‘ethical’?
In other words, if your topic involves people in
some way, ensure you respectful both of their
privacy and in the way you discuss them.
Current knowledge
You may find it easier to choose a topic that
you already know something about.
This will allow you to get a head start by
brainstorming what you know and
deciding what you need to find out.
Think hard before choosing something completely
new because this may involve a lot more work!