Maths EPQ: ideas, titles and how to aim for an A*
Everything for an Extended Project Qualification with maths at its heart: 93 original ideas with question-style titles, free guides to every stage, a title checker and a timeline planner. Written for A Level students and their supervisors.
- 93 original ideas
- 11 free guides
- Title checker
- No sign-up
What the EPQ is
An independent project on a topic you choose, worth about 120 guided learning hours. You agree a title with a supervisor, plan, research, produce a dissertation or an artefact with a written report, present it to an audience and evaluate it. AQA, Pearson and WJEC/Eduqas grade it A* to E, and on the UCAS Tariff an A* is worth 28 points (an E is worth 8).
Why maths students do one
- To go deep into maths the course only touches: proof, modelling, statistics, cryptography.
- To use maths in a subject you might study next: economics, computer science, physics, medicine.
- To practise independent research before university.
- To have a real project to talk about.
How it is assessed
Four assessment objectives: manage, use resources, develop and realise, and review. The process is marked as well as the product. The mark scheme, explained for maths.
| AQA (7993) | Pearson Edexcel | WJEC/Eduqas | OCR (H857) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided learning hours | 120 | 120 | 120 | See OCR's H857 page (first teaching 2017; specification Version 2.1, June 2026) |
| Grades | A* to E | A* to E | A* to E | |
| Dissertation length | About 5,000 words | Estimated 5,000 to 6,000 words | At least 5,000 words (guidance in WJEC's 2019–20 FAQ) | |
| With an artefact | A research-based written report of at least 1,000 words | Unit 4 (Artefact): report estimated at 1,500 to 3,000 words | See the specification | |
| Marks | 50: AO1 10, AO2 10, AO3 20, AO4 10 | Dissertation unit: 54 (AO1 9, AO2 12, AO3 24, AO4 9) | 100 | |
| Record and presentation | Production Log and Assessment Record; live presentation to a non-specialist audience, with questions | Activity log; presentation to an audience, with questions | See the specification |
Ideas library
93 ideas in 10 areas, each with a title, scope, the A Level topics it builds on, a plan, pitfalls and where to start reading.
- Pure maths10 ideas
- Applied maths and modelling9 ideas
- Statistics and data9 ideas
- History and philosophy of maths10 ideas
- Maths in economics, finance and society9 ideas
- Maths and computer science9 ideas
- Maths in physics and engineering9 ideas
- Maths in biology and medicine9 ideas
- Maths in music, art and sport9 ideas
- Artefact projects10 ideas
A few to start with
- Is the lottery a fair game?Is a national lottery a fair game, and what is a ticket really worth?
- How RSA keeps payments secureHow does RSA encryption keep online payments secure, and what would it take to break it?
- Modelling an epidemicHow well does a simple SIR model capture the spread of an epidemic, and what does it imply for vaccination?
- Why a piano cannot be perfectly in tuneWhy can't a piano be perfectly in tune? Equal temperament versus just intonation
- Does sacking a football manager work?Does sacking a football manager improve results, or is it regression to the mean?
- Designing a fair board gameCan a board game be designed so that every player has an equal chance of winning?
Guides
- Choosing a titleWhat makes a title work, with a free title checker.
- The mark schemeAO1 to AO4, board by board, for maths projects.
- Structure and word countSections, equations, proofs and code.
- The production logWhat to record, and when.
- The presentationExplaining maths to a non-specialist audience.
- Artefact projectsSimulations, apps, games and models.
- ReferencingBooks, data, code and AI tools.
- AI and academic integrityWhat the boards allow, and what they do not.
- Timeline plannerDated milestones from your deadline.
- Is it worth it?EPQ, Further Maths and admissions tests.
- For supervisorsPrintable checklists for each review.
Dissertation or artefact?
Most maths EPQs are dissertations: an argument built from proofs, models or analysis. An artefact (a simulation, app, game, teaching resource or model) suits students who want to make something, and still needs a research-based report. Artefact rules and ideas.
Applying for maths, computer science or engineering?
A maths EPQ gives you a real piece of research to discuss, but it does not replace Further Maths where a course asks for it, or preparation for an admissions test. Is a maths EPQ worth it? If a course sets the TMUA, start with our free TMUA preparation.
Keep your A Level maths strong
Every idea links to the A Level topics it builds on. A Level Maths topics · Competition maths for stretch · Past papers
Frequently asked questions
What is the EPQ?
The Extended Project Qualification: an independent project on a topic you choose, taken alongside A Levels. You produce a dissertation or an artefact with a written report, keep a log of the process, give a presentation and evaluate your work. AQA, Pearson and WJEC/Eduqas grade it A* to E.
Can I do an EPQ on maths?
Yes. A maths EPQ can be a dissertation (a proof, a model, a statistical investigation, a history or philosophy question with real maths in it) or an artefact such as a simulation or teaching resource. We have 93 original ideas to start from.
How long is a maths EPQ?
A dissertation is about 5,000 words for AQA, an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 for Pearson and at least 5,000 for WJEC/Eduqas (guidance in WJEC's 2019–20 FAQ). An artefact comes with a shorter written report. The whole qualification is about 120 guided learning hours.
How is the EPQ marked?
Against four assessment objectives: manage, use resources, develop and realise, and review. Your centre marks it and the board moderates. The process (your log, planning and evaluation) counts as well as the product.
How many UCAS points is the EPQ worth?
On the UCAS Tariff: A* 28, A 24, B 20, C 16, D 12, E 8. AQA describes it as worth half an A level.
Will a maths EPQ help my university application?
It can give you a real piece of research to talk about. Whether a course uses it in offers varies, so check each university's admissions page, and do not let it squeeze your A Levels or admissions test preparation.
Can I use AI for my EPQ?
Only as your school and board allow. AI output earns no credit, every use must be acknowledged with the tool and date, and submitting AI work as your own is malpractice.
Your EPQ must be your own work. These pages coach: ideas, structure, checklists and planning. Submitting text, proofs, code or analysis written by someone else or by an AI tool as your own is malpractice. How to use help and AI honestly.
The Extended Project Qualification is offered by several awarding bodies, including AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC/Eduqas. A Level Math Revision is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any awarding body or university. Summaries of the rules are in our own words: your school and your board's specification have the final say. Every idea here is our own.