Why Independent Research Matters

Top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group institutions look for more than just high grades. They want evidence of intellectual curiosity, independent study, and commitment to a subject. This is where the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and similar student-led research projects can make a real difference.

By undertaking an EPQ, students:

  • Demonstrate the ability to plan, research, and evaluate complex ideas

  • Show skills in academic writing, referencing, and critical analysis

  • Explore a topic that goes beyond the A-Level or IB curriculum

  • Gain valuable content to use in personal statements, interviews, and super-curricular discussions

These are the qualities admissions tutors highlight as differentiators between equally high-achieving applicants.

Boosting Competitiveness for Selective Courses

For competitive fields such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Psychology, an EPQ or research project can show genuine subject commitment. For example:

  • A student applying for Medicine who completes a research project on antibiotic resistance not only shows curiosity, but also has evidence to reference in interviews.

  • An aspiring Lawyer who researches human rights cases can speak with confidence about their insights during an Oxbridge or Russell Group interview.

Admissions officers value these experiences because they reveal independent thought and subject depth — both key markers of future academic success.

Publication in Student Journals

For some students, the next step is aiming to publish research in a student journal. This is highly competitive, but a successful publication can be a standout feature of an application. It demonstrates:

  • Academic rigour at a near-undergraduate level

  • The ability to contribute meaningfully to wider scholarly debate

  • Perseverance and resilience in undergoing a formal review process

Even if publication is not achieved, the attempt itself builds transferable skills that strengthen university applications.

Key Takeaway

Whether through the EPQ, independent research projects, or aiming for student journal publication, engaging with research is one of the most effective ways to enhance your UCAS application. It signals to universities that you are not just prepared for the demands of higher education — you are already engaging with them.

At ProEd, our Year-Round Online Research Programme. This unique course allows students to:

  • Work on guided research projects alongside expert academic mentors

  • Gain experience in independent study and critical thinking beyond the classroom

  • Produce written research outputs that can be referenced in personal statements and interviews

  • Build the academic depth that top universities — including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions — consistently look for

By completing the programme, students show universities that they can think, write, and analyse at a higher level. It is precisely the kind of super-curricular engagement that admissions tutors highlight as a differentiator in competitive applications.