Course Overview
Entry Qualifications
In addition to the standard College entry requirements, this course requires students to have achieved grade 66 or above in GCSE Combined Science (Higher Tier) or a minimum of 655 in the separate sciences which should normally include grade 6 or above in Physics. Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language is also required.
What will I study?
The syllabus for this course is designed to follow on from GCSE Science courses where Additional (not Applied) Science has been studied for the double award. The A-level specification includes these Physics topics:
- Particles
- Waves
- Mechanics
- Materials
- Electricity
- Quantum Phenomena
- Fields
- Nuclear Physics
- Thermal Physics
- Astrophysics
Wherever possible the approach to these topics is practical and practical systematically developed throughout the course.
How will I study?
Much of the learning on all our courses is done through class practicals and demonstration practicals. Students are usually taught as a class group but there will be times when students will be expected to work on their own or in small groups, reporting back their findings to the rest of the class. There are five highly qualified physics teachers most with more than a decade of teaching experience and some who serve as examiners with the exam boards. We also have three specialist physics technicians. There are three laboratories and a prep. room. We are exceptionally well-equipped for teaching Physics, with a wide range of practical and demonstrative equipment giving a hands-on experience to physics students.
How is the course examined?
The A-level will be examined in the summer of the second year. Exams will cover the entire two years’ work over three papers including practical skills. There will also be practical assessments throughout the course which leads to a certificate of competency in physics practical work (CPAC).
Where next?
Career opportunities for students studying Physics together with other subjects (see below) are excellent. Physicists are highly sought after and the lack of properly qualified physicists creates great demand for graduates. A degree in Physics opens the way to a wide variety of careers. Employers in unrelated fields also hold it in high regard because of its conceptual nature and intellectual rigour.
What does the course combine well with?
Maths, Electronics, Chemistry, Biology, Computing, Economics or Design combine well with Physics. We advise that students wishing to study A-level Physics do it alongside A-level Mathematics and A level Electronics.
College Entry Requirements
We normally expect applicants to have achieved good GCSE passes in at least six subjects, these must:
- demonstrate the suitability for Advanced Level study
- have been achieved at Grade 4/C as a minimum
- include two at Grade 5/B as a minimum
- include English Language – a minimum grade of 4/C
Mathematics – If not achieved within the scope of the above should normally be achieved at grade 3/D. If mathematics is not achieved at grade 4/C then it will be a requirement to continue to study at the correct level until a grade 4 is achieved. Subjects with a mathematical content will require a higher grade.
