The Extended Project is a distinctive and highly regarded qualification, designed to develop a range of transferable skills such as planning, research, analysis and evaluation. This course consists of a taught element, which includes an introduction to research methods and evaluation skills, as well as learning how to give a good spoken presentation, together with the actual completion of the Project.

Course Content

The EPQ places you in control of your own learning. You will be assigned an expert supervisor who will support you throughout your project while helping you develop academic research, project management, academic writing, presentation and critical thinking skills. We also work with leading universities to shape our teaching in response to the latest academic advice and research, ensuring you develop the skills needed for higher education. Over approximately eight months, you will independently plan, manage, complete and evaluate a substantial project, producing a portfolio of evidence that is internally assessed and externally moderated. 

You can choose to complete your project in one of three formats:
•    A dissertation: an extended piece of academic writing, supported by a literature review.
•    An artefact: a practical outcome such as a piece of artwork, a garment, a website, or a piece of creative writing (fiction or non-fiction), supported by written evidence of development.
•    A performance: planning, directing and delivering a live performance, such as theatre, music or dance, supported by written evidence of development.

Previous Projects

Previous projects have explored a wide range of topics, including the design of an eco-friendly care home in Henley-on-Thames, short films, fashion design, creative writing, and ethical debates surrounding autism, the youth justice system and queer cinema through the ages.

Higher Education

It offers the opportunity to differentiate yourself from other students and to demonstrate motivation for the degree course you have chosen to apply for.

Leading Universities are highly appreciative of the Extended Project and encourage students to take it.

Life After Henley

For those wishing to continue on to higher education, the Extended Project will provide a strong platform to support future learning. It also offers the opportunity to differentiate yourself from other students and to demonstrate motivation for the degree course you have chosen to apply for.

Leading universities are highly appreciative of the Extended Project and encourage students to take it with some of them even lowering entry requirements for those predicted A/A* in their Extended Project.

Students are required to complete at least 50 hours of enrichment per academic year whilst studying at The Henley College, learn more about Enrichment here.

Learn more about our application process here.