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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Sixth form (A Level) UK

34 replies

Bhati · 31/07/2023 18:11

Looking for some suggestions for EPQ topics.

OP posts:
PettsWoodParadise · 31/07/2023 20:52

That is just too broad a question. The best EPQ topic is one your DC is interested and passionate about exploring.

Original poster
Bhati · 31/07/2023 20:54

Thankyou
The reason why I ask is my son is thinking to do medicine and his understanding is EPQ topic has to be non related to his subjects (Maths/Chen/Bio). My understanding is he can do EPQ topic relates to his subjects chosen.
Any help appreciated.

OP posts:
KittyMcKitty · 31/07/2023 20:57

My dd’s friends who have applied to do medicine did EPQ’s on very medical topics. He should chose a topic he’s interested in and imo one which adds weight to his medical application. The potential medical students I know were asked in detail about their EPQ At interview.

clary · 31/07/2023 21:42

Yes agree, it has to be something he is interested in. Usually related to the chosen degree subject tbh.

Work exp is also key for med applications as I understand it <not an expert on this tho>

Original poster
Bhati · 31/07/2023 21:43

Thank you for responding
Work experience he's going to be asking to work in Hospital or GP. I believe one week work experience is enough!!?

OP posts:
parietal · 31/07/2023 21:49

take your DC to a large bookshop and browse the shelves in the non-fiction / science section. you'll find plenty of pop-science books on a wide range of topics relevant to medicine. Let DC pick one or two he is interested in. reading the books will give a starting point for a relevant EPQ topic.

If reading a full book really doesn't appeal, a subscription to New Scientist can also give lots of possible topic suggestions.

londonmummy1966 · 31/07/2023 21:52

Medical schools tend to want to pick candidates who are self motivated as the degree is hard as is life working in hospitals afterwards. They don't want applicants that get mummy to look up EPQ topics and work experience - they want candidates that can do that for themselves.

PermanentTemporary · 31/07/2023 21:55

@bhati he should think as broadly as possible. Saturday work in a care home for example, or volunteering with a charity working with people with medical challenges. There is work experience out there but it's likely to be a bit of a slog to get, he should apply to everything he can find.

Original poster
Bhati · 31/07/2023 22:00

Appreciate your comments.
Mummy is not asking for EPQ topics which child will pick from that. Mummy is asking as there are some discussions ongoing with a very independent child. I do not need to add all the details hence the question was asked in a very simple way on this platform. This is the research time so gathering info. Some helpful community members are responding and I greatly appreciate that.
Medicine is a hard degree before and after, information on that we have already gathered it but thank you for taking time to comment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bhati · 31/07/2023 22:02

Thank you!

OP posts:
titchy · 31/07/2023 22:08

Bhati · 31/07/2023 21:43

Thank you for responding
Work experience he's going to be asking to work in Hospital or GP. I believe one week work experience is enough!!?

Nowhere near! Regular work experience (every Saturday for a year say) where he can demonstrate commitment, care of others, and an understanding of their health needs. Carehome, hospital voluntary services, work with children with SN etc.

Dukeydo · 31/07/2023 22:09

Mine is also looking at medicine and my suggestion would be reading as a starting point.
Mine literally is reading as
any medical, biological / history of medicine books as she can and then will do EPQ around that ….

she Keeps a running log of all the books she is reading on an excel sheets and what she has learnt etc

Neverseenbefore · 31/07/2023 22:12

I know someone who did medicine and wrote about ethics.

Wishthiswasntthecase · 31/07/2023 22:15

Epq has to go beyond the specification that the student is studying (I.e. not just a rehash of A Level syllabus):but can be a linked or further explored topic.

PermanentTemporary · 31/07/2023 22:19

The child i know that did best with their EPQ did a topic related to their degree subject rather than their A-levels. The level of thought and enthusiasm they demonstrated and the way it fed their increasing passion for the subject has had brilliant outcomes. This for a child that always rather underperformed at school due to lack of confidence, but he's such a wonderful kid, EPQ has done loads for him.

Felixinthefactory · 31/07/2023 22:22

Daughter did hers a couple of years ago on issues around compulsory covid vaccination. Other med friends did some very specific science related EPQs.

clary · 01/08/2023 00:20

Yeh all the students I know who applied for med did work exp on a weekly basis at least - yy such as weekly placement in a care home, also any other experience they can get, in a hospital or with a GP practice. It's not easy to get so ask and ask. The BMA has some useful suggestions. Medicine is very competitive so the more you can offer the better.

W0tnow · 01/08/2023 05:08

Hmm. All the advice I read on here was do not do a 4 th A level, do not an EPQ. Concentrate on getting the best 3 A level results you can as no university will care about anything else (on the academic side of things). And it only might, just might come up if you get an interview for med school.

My daughter has done an EPQ. Something quite specific in the field of immunology. It was a subject that fascinated her. She was insistent about doing one.

W0tnow · 01/08/2023 05:09

There are also online WExp programs he can do.

Felixinthefactory · 01/08/2023 05:26

W0tnow · 01/08/2023 05:08

Hmm. All the advice I read on here was do not do a 4 th A level, do not an EPQ. Concentrate on getting the best 3 A level results you can as no university will care about anything else (on the academic side of things). And it only might, just might come up if you get an interview for med school.

My daughter has done an EPQ. Something quite specific in the field of immunology. It was a subject that fascinated her. She was insistent about doing one.

A couple of universities offer a grade lower for medicine with a good EPQ grade, e.g. Leicester offer for 2024 is A star, A, A or AAA with a B in EPQ. Sheffield offer was lower with A or A star EPQ this year.

W0tnow · 01/08/2023 05:54

Oh interesting. Good to know.

Felixinthefactory · 01/08/2023 08:31

@W0tnow actually I may be getting confused re Sheffield. I think I'm confusing their accepting of Astar, A, B instead of AAA. Shouldn't post so early in the morning! There was definitely one uni we looked at this year which allowed a drop of one grade with A star EPQ. And Leicester info for 2024 is definitely right and on their website.

PettsWoodParadise · 01/08/2023 09:01

DD did an EPQ and it was discussed in her Oxbridge interview. I think it was just one of a few ways she could demonstrate her passion. Also good practice for Uni style work with referencing, researching the topic etc. most done over the summer holidays so also kept up the momentum for studies and Uni applications start of term in Y13.

Boodahh · 01/08/2023 09:03

Dd did an EPQ in a humanities subject. I had no input into her choice, she chose the subject herself. Its offers leeway on her grades for her insurance choice.

A friends Dd is interested in medicine and has picked a subject she finds fascinating.

I think its something they need to choose themselves if they're sufficiently interested to do it.

Also could provide something to add to their PS and then talk about at interview.

DinkyDaisy · 01/08/2023 17:50

Grade reduction from Epq could prove very useful for my ds come results day. We shall see!
He is into politics and wrote something he was passionate about but I almost fell asleep reading about it! However, his passion and not mine and he got the high grade and the grade reduction for university he wants ...