At Highgrove Online School, we believe education should not only prepare students for exams; it should prepare them for life. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Global Social Leaders EPQ course, a pioneering programme designed for students who want to stand out academically while making a tangible difference in the world, in partnership with Future Foundations.
Launching this September, this innovative course blends rigorous academic research with real-world social impact, offering students a unique opportunity to develop their critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills while engaging deeply with global issues that truly matter.
What is the Global Social Leaders EPQ?
The Global Social Leaders EPQ was developed to align with the Global Social Leaders (GSL), a movement that has empowered over 10,000 young people across 100 countries to deliver transformative social action projects. Their mission aligns with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including efforts to combat poverty, reduce inequality, and fight climate change.
This is the first time that the GSL ethos of youth-led change aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals has been embedded within an accredited qualification. The result is a course that not only meets academic standards but also inspires action and innovation.
Whether students are passionate about gender equality, climate change, education access, or poverty reduction, this EPQ offers them the chance to explore those issues through independent research and to develop creative, local solutions with global relevance.
Why Students Should Consider the Global Social Leaders EPQ
For students preparing for university or international study, the EPQ has become a powerful differentiator. According to recent research from Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Gill, T. (2022). Are students who take the Extended Project Qualification better prepared for higher education study? Cambridge University Press & Assessment), around 20% of A level students now undertake an EPQ, and universities increasingly recognise the qualification’s role in developing higher-order academic skills.
The Global Social Leaders EPQ goes a step further, however. By combining academic inquiry with active social engagement, students are not only building their university applications; they’re building their futures as changemakers.
Here’s what makes the course so valuable:
- Purpose-Driven Learning: Students get to choose a topic that aligns with both their academic interests and their values, leading to research that is personal, meaningful, and impactful.
- Skills That Matter: With guidance from experienced educators, students develop skills in project management, academic writing, critical thinking, and public speaking, skills that are essential for university and beyond.
- Global Perspective: Students join a community of like-minded peers around the world, connecting their local experiences to global challenges in a way that fosters empathy, innovation, and cultural awareness.
- A Proven Model for Success: In our first EPQ cohort which ran from January–November 2024, 80% of students achieved an A or A*, with the majority earning A*.
What to Expect from the Course
The Global Social Leaders EPQ has been designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind. Students can choose to start in either January or September, allowing them to align their EPQ with their personal and academic schedules.
The course is comprised of:
- Weekly live online lessons that provide interactive, expert-led instruction
- Weekly self-study modules that let students explore content at their own pace
- Fortnightly one-on-one supervision sessions with experienced educators
- A final presentation to a live audience
- All students will be invited to write a guest blog reflecting on their learning journey and showcasing their learning journey and the impact of their project to be featured on the online GSL Project Showcase
Final Thoughts
Enrolling in the Global Social Leaders EPQ isn’t just a chance to gain an additional qualification. It’s an invitation to be part of a global movement of young people who are reshaping the future.
Whether you’re a UK-based student aiming for a top university, or an international learner looking to combine British academic excellence with real-world relevance, this course provides the tools, support, and inspiration to make a difference.
Applications for the September intake are now open, and we invite students from across the UK and around the world to join us.
Take the next step in your educational journey and in your journey as a global citizen. Speak with our Admissions Team to find out more about the new Global Social Leaders EPQ course.
You can read all about the new GSL EPQ course here.
