Chemistry - A Level

Considered to be one of the more challenging A Levels, Chemistry is a problem solving subject. Students will study the role Chemists play in a variety of relevant and current technologies, such as the development of new medicines and materials, climate change and alternative fuels.

Students enjoy developing expertise in a wide range of experimental techniques. Practical experiments are a key feature of the course.

Students will study the structures, chemical and physical properties and reactions of elements and compounds. Practical work will be assessed in the written papers.

• Inorganic Chemistry 
• Physical Chemistry 
• Organic Chemistry

Students will do well on this course if they:

• Are interested in the Chemistry of the world around them 
• Can work independently and to deadlines 
• Can solve Mathematical equations and use graphs 
• Can extract information from new sources 
• Are organised, hard working and want to solve problems rather than be given all the answers

Mathematics is a core part of the course, so students should be confident working with numbers and using formulae in calculations.

Exams are taken at the end of the second year. The A Level consists of 3 exams.

Paper 1 and 2 are both worth 35% of A Level and have a total of 105 marks (Duration for each exam is 2 hours).

The papers consist of short and long answer questions.

Paper 3 worth 30% of the A Level covering both AS and A Level content and have a total of 90 marks (Duration for each exam is 2 hours).

The practical-based exam is designed to assess the application of practical skills knowledge and understanding studied throughout the course and will be examined in every written examination.

The exam board is AQA.

Course Specific Trips & Visits

The College runs a number of educational experiences each year to enable students to contextualise their learning.  In addition, the College runs a programme of visiting speakers, which includes representatives from Higher Education and Industry.