Student Extended Project

Extended Projects Qualification

Through the Dulwich Extended Project, students have an opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest, to a far greater depth than they would normally be able to in A Level study. The skills required to successfully complete a Dulwich Extended Project challenge and develop the most academically able students, which will give a huge advantage in application to competitive universities.

As students are invited to submit proposals for extended research projects, either individually or with a partner. If approved, individual students will spend about 80 hours on independent research over the course of Year 12. They are required to write a 5000-word research report on a subject of their choice; partners must write an 8000-word report. In addition, students will present their research to the school, usually in November of Year 13.

Students are guided by an academic mentor at school, but all the research is undertaken by individual students

Students learn how to write, reference, and research to complete their extended project. In doing this, they gain a high level of academic knowledge and understanding of the topic they select, as well as developing the skills for research that they will use at university. UK and US universities value these projects highly, for example:

University of Cambridge: "The Cambridge Colleges welcome the introduction of the Extended Project primarily because of the benefit we recognise in the skills it will develop in learners and the consequent easing of the transition from study in secondary to higher education."

University of Glasgow: "The University very much values the Extended Project and its role in preparing students for a
successful higher education experience... in highly selective areas preference may be given to students entering with A Levels, who also offer the Extended Project for entry."

Recent successful projects have been on such varied subjects as:

• A comparison of computer efficiency in solving equations using different numerical methods
• Assessing the future of network economy in China by analysing the prospect of the "Tri-Ma" cooperation
• Methods of making soap
• Improving home-made 3-D printer performance
• Investigating factors that determine coil height in the rope coiling effect
• Extracting caffeine from coffee and tea
• Water quality in Suzhou

Here are some of our students' testimonial and their EP project reports:

"The extended project stretches my personal and academic ability while allowing me to explore my academic interest outside the class. Hence, I feel well prepared for university."

-- Irene Fang

"I joined CRQ project initially to strengthen and demonstrate my research and writing skills. Interestingly, during the process of producing my paper, I learned bunch of ways to gather reliable information——I discussed with my subject teachers to acquire perspectives towards Paris Agreement and various views towards World Economy. Eventually, I gained a lot more than just research ability. The intimate relationship between my economic teacher and me, the passion towards investigating recent established policies, and the determination to pursue my economic study are the most valuable things gained."

-- Scarlett Gu

"CRQ helped me be more engaged and exposed to the community. I also learnt how to generate my words when looking at different perspectives of things. Critical thinking skills can be used not only in researches but also in all parts of life."

--Nancy Yao