STUDENTS have been tackling some of the world’s biggest issues in a qualification they hope will open doors to universities around the country.
Learners taking the Extended Project at Priestley College are able to choose the focus of their qualification as well as how to produce it.
The cohort have tackled everything from whether women are still subjected to double standards, whether stigmitisation is an additional symptom of an autism diagnosis and if we need a universal language?
Syrlene Lovence, who is also studying Graphic Design, chose to investigate whether AI is killing creativity and wrote a dissertation on the question.
“I thought that exploring ‘creativity’ and the effects of Generative AI on artists, students, and future generations would be very interesting and a good way to supplement my studies,” she said.
“I genuinely enjoy writing essays about topics I’m passionate about, and thought the dissertation would give me a great reason to do so.”
Students often take the EPQ because many universities offer reduced entry requirements to those who are successful on the course. It appeals to universities because it demonstrates many of the skills required on a degree course.
Syrlene hopes her A* will help her secure her first-choice university place.
“Although I was relatively independent in my project, whenever I did have any questions my tutor Lynn was always happy to help,” she said.
The EPQ allows students to produce many different final outcomes on which to be judged. This year Katie Barber filmed a short horror movie for her entry, combining her love of film with her subject.
Among Syrlene’s cohort a number of students began their projects in June after completing their AS exams and completed them by November. The cohort achieved a 100% pass rate scoring A*s or As.
Another student, Casey Smith, chose the more traditional path of writing a dissertation on the protection of rights of the US and UK Supreme Courts.
“I did this to aid my knowledge of my Politics course, but also inspired by the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade in 2022, alongside the UK Supreme Court withdrawing Shamina Begum’s UK citizenship,” said Casey.
“I would recommend EPQ if you are passionate about the topic you want to do and if you can handle the workload of an EPQ.”
