BIOLOGY

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: AQA
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page

Content

The Year 12 course consists of 4 modules:

1. Biological molecules
2. Cells
3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

The Year 13 course consists of 8 modules assessed in three synoptic exams at the end of the year:

1. Biological molecules
2. Cells
3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
5. Energy transfers in and between organisms (A2)
6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A2)
7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A2)
8. The control of gene expression (A2)

Futures

Biology is highly desirable if you intend to study within the fields of Medicine, Veterinary Science, Environmental Science, Dentistry or Pharmacy at university. It will also allow you to progress onto a wide range of science courses at undergraduate level, including those that are based around engineering. It is also a preferred subject for a large number of finance based university courses.

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CHEMISTRY

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: OCR A
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page

Content

The Year 12 course consists of 4 modules:

1. Practical Skills in Chemistry
2. Foundations in Chemistry
3. The Periodic Table and Energy
4. Core Organic Chemistry

The Year 13 course consists of 6 modules assessed in three exams at the end of the year and one practical report compiled throughout the course:

1. Development of practical skills in chemistry
2. Foundations in chemistry
3. Periodic table and energy
4. Core organic chemistry
5. Physical chemistry and transition metals
6. Organic chemistry and analysis

Futures

Chemistry is essential if you intend to study Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy at university. It will also allow you to progress onto a wide range of science courses at undergraduate level, including those that are based around engineering. It is also a preferred subject for a large number of finance based university courses.

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PHYSICS

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: OCR A
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page

Content

The Year 12 content is split into four teaching modules:

• Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
• Module 2 – Foundations of physics
• Module 3 – Forces and motion
• Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons

The Year 13 content is split into six teaching modules:

• Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
• Module 2 – Foundations of physics
• Module 3 – Forces and motion
• Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons
• Module 5 – Newtonian world and astrophysics
• Module 6 – Particles and medical physics

There is no coursework element in the course but practical skills are assessed throughout and in the written papers.

• Modelling Physics (01) – 100 marks – 37% of total A-level
• Exploring Physics (02) – 100 marks – 37% of total A-level
• Unified Physics (03) – 70 marks – 26% of total A-level

Futures

A-level physics is a highly respected qualification that can open doors to a number of possibilities. Career options with A-level physics include becoming a food scientist, climatologist, radiographer, ergonomics expert, to name but a few. There are a huge range of careers where A-level physics is highly desirable, not to mention the engineering possibilities, such as flight, design, mining, medical, electrical/electronic and agricultural.