How to choose a maths EPQ title

A good title does most of the work for you: it tells you what to read, what maths to learn and what your conclusion has to answer. Supervisors judge a proposal on whether it lets you investigate and evaluate rather than describe, whether it is manageable in the time and word count, and whether you can do it independently, safely and fairly.

What makes a title work

  1. It asks a question that needs a judgement: to what extent, how well, which, should, why.
  2. It names the maths: a model, a theorem, a test, a method.
  3. It is narrow: one case, one data set, one comparison, one place or period.
  4. The evidence exists: sources you can read and data you can get.
  5. You can understand the maths in the time you have.
  6. It is not double-counted: AQA's specification says work assessed for another qualification cannot also be submitted for the EPQ, so keep it separate from any NEA or coursework.

From weak to strong

WeakMaths in music.

StrongWhy can't a piano be perfectly in tune? Equal temperament versus just intonation

WeakAn exploration of chaos theory.

StrongHow large can a pendulum's swing be before the small-angle approximation fails?

WeakStatistics in football.

StrongDoes sacking a football manager improve results, or is it regression to the mean?

Title checker

Six quick tests on your own title. Nothing is sent anywhere: the checks run in your browser and are rules of thumb, not a mark.

Six checks the tool runs

  1. It is phrased as a question.
  2. It is between 8 and 35 words.
  3. It names some mathematics.
  4. It asks for a judgement (to what extent, how well, which, why…).
  5. It narrows the scope (a case, a place, a number, a data set).
  6. It avoids vague words such as "explore" or "look at".

Need a starting point? Browse 93 maths EPQ ideas, each with a question-style title.

Frequently asked questions

Can my EPQ title change?

Titles are often refined after early research. Agree any change with your supervisor and record it, with the reason, in your production or activity log.

Should a maths EPQ title be a question?

A question makes you answer something, so your conclusion has a clear job. Statements such as 'An exploration of…' tend to produce description rather than evaluation.

Can I do my EPQ on something from my A Level Maths course?

You can start from course content, but the project must go beyond it, and your centre checks it is a genuine extension of your studies. Work assessed for another qualification cannot be submitted again.

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.