Science and Social Science

AQA A Level - exam board website.

Topics

Year 12: biological molecules, cells, how organisms exchange substances with their environment, genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms. 

Year 13: energy transfers in and between organisms, genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems, how organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments, the control of gene expression.

Choose this course if...

You loved Biology at GCSE and keen to know how cells, organisms and ecosystems really work. 

You have a genuine passion for gaining knowledge about all things living and wish to further your understanding of the natural world.  

Where this course could take you

Biology is Life, it involves the study of a wide range of exciting topics, from molecular biology to the study of ecosystems and from microorganisms to mammoths. Biology can take you from wearing wellies while counting butterflies in a field, to wearing a white coat working on the cure for cancer in a lab. Biology A level is a highly valued subject within Higher Education and students will often pursue a biological career, however it also opens up a huge variety of options outside of the sciences.  

Skills and experience you will need

This is a very challenging course which rewards success to engaged and committed study. Students need to be strong all-round scientists, and most successful students have Grade 7 or higher in GCSE Biology.  Maths and English also play an important role in exam success when tackling demanding numerical questions and extended written essays.   

Edexcel A Level - exam board website.

Topics

Year 12: atomic structure and the periodic table, formulae equations and amounts of substances, bonding and structure, organic chemistry (alkanes, alkenes, alcohols), organic chemistry (halogenoalkanes), modern analytical techniques, redox, inorganic chemistry and the periodic table., kinetics, equilibrium, energetics. 

Year 13: acid base equilibria, entropy, kinetics, advanced organic chemistry, redox II, transition metals, amines and amino acids, organic synthesis, modern analytical techniques.

Choose this course if...

You enjoyed GCSE Chemistry and want to dive deeper!

Where this course could take you

Chemistry is a very well respected subject that anyone can be proud to offer to any university or employer. You can study chemistry without studying any other sciences at A Level but it is an excellent supporting subject for both biology and physics.

Chemistry is mentioned in the university entry requirements for the following courses: Agriculture, Food Science, Genetics, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Zoology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Dentistry, Ecology, Physics, Nursing, Botany, Chemistry, Microbiology, Medicine, Horticulture, Nutrition, Veterinary Surgery, Biotechnology, Metallurgy, Pharmacy, Physiology, Engineering and many more.

For most medicine courses Chemistry is the only required A Level - the most common requirement is Chemistry plus one from Biology, Maths and Physics and any third A Level.

Skills and experience you will need

You will need strong mathematical skills and the dedication to apply these to solve complex problems. Most successful A Level students will have strong grades across their GCSE Sciences (at least grade 6, and 7 or higher in Chemistry) and in Maths.

OCR A Level - exam board website.

Topics

Year 12: motion, forces in action, work, electricity, waves, materials, Newton's laws, quantum physics, capacitors. 

Year 13: thermal physics, circular and simple harmonic motion, fields, particle physics, cosmology, radioactivity, nuclear physics, medical physics. 

Choose this course if...

Physics is a subject for those who want to understand how the world around them works. For some, the fascination is in the highly theoretical work that deals with the very small at one extreme (particle physics) and the very large at the other (cosmology). Others are interested in Physics because of the way that it underpins developments in engineering and technology with its potential for contributing to solving the problems facing society. Some are attracted by the practical aspects of the work, whilst others are intrigued by the way that mathematics can be used to describe physical phenomena.

Where this course could take you

Physics is a very well regarded subject that anyone can be proud to offer to any university or employer. You can study Physics without studying any other science at A Level but it is an excellent supporting subject for Chemistry and Maths for example.

Physics is mentioned in the university entry requirements for a huge range of courses including… Physics, Computing, Radiography, Geophysics, Electronics, Material science, Medical physics, Architecture, Engineering, Space technology, Dentistry, Chemistry, Medicine, Mechanical engineering, Metallurgy, Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Music technology, Archaeology, Sport science, Finance, Aeronautical engineering, Astrophysics, Food science, Geol[1]ogy, Veterinary surgery, Maths, Civil engineering.

Skills and experience you will need

It should be noted that the mathematical content of the course is such that it is highly recommended, although not essential, that those choosing to study A-level Physics should also choose to study A-level Maths. Most successful A Level students will have strong grades across their GCSE Sciences (at least grade 6, and 7 or higher in Physics and in Maths).

Pearson Edexcel BTEC - exam board website.

This course is available in three sizes: a BTEC Extended Certificate equivalent to one A Level, a BTEC Diploma (with twice the timetabled lessons, and twice as many units of work completed) equivalent to two A Levels and a BTEC Extended Diploma with additional lessons and units and equivalent to three A Levels.

Core topics covered in all sizes of course

Year 12: principles and applications of science, practical scientific procedures and techniques, laboratory techniques and their applications, diseases and infections.

Year 13: science investigation skills, principles and applications of science II, contemporary issues in science, physiology of the human body, investigative project, industrial chemical reactions.

Choose this course if...

You enjoy science and want to study key topics in biology, chemistry and physics to the same level that they are covered in A Level courses. This course will suit you if you prefer continuous assessment through coursework to final exams, and like the idea of exams that are spread throughout the course with re-sit opportunities.

Where this course could take you

This course will meet the entry requirements for a very large range of science-related university courses. For the most competitive courses such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, universities typically require A level sciences at A/A* grade, however even these courses are accessible to successful BTEC science students at some universities. BTEC Science is a great route into other medical degrees such as nursing, paramedic science, physiotherapy and radiography, as well as other science degrees, degree-level apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships in STEM industries.

Skills and experience you will need

Success in GCSE Science, Maths and English is required.

AQA A Level - exam board website.

Topics

Year 12: memory (including why we forget and the accuracy of eyewitness reports), attachment relationships between young children and their carers, mental health including depression, phobias and OCD, conformity and obedience to authority figures, the brain and nervous system.

Year 13: schizophrenia, romantic relationships, why people commit crimes and how to deal with this (forensic psychology), and how to conduct psychological research.

Choose this course if...

You want to learn about the causes of human behaviour and experience, enjoy science and are interested in the challenges that face psychologists as they attempt to conduct experiments on human participants.

Where this course could take you

Psychology is considered to be a science A Level for many university courses. Psychologists of many kinds work in many settings including sport, education, therapy and businesses. Psychology is relevant to further study in a wide range of fields including business, education, healthcare, media and other social sciences.

Skills and experience you will need

To be successful on this course it’s helpful to have good written communication skills, an understanding biology and of how to conduct experiments and analyse data from GCSE science, and sound maths skills to enable you to analyse numerical data and draw conclusions from it.

AQA A Level - exam board website.

Topics

Year 12: education - including the role and functions of the education system, differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity - with theory and methods, families and households - the relationship of the family to the social structure and social change - with theory and methods.

Year 13: beliefs in society - ideology, science and religion, including both Christian and non-Christian religious traditions - with theory and methods, crime and deviance - including social order and social control; the social distribution of crime and deviance by ethnicity, gender and social class - with theory and methods.

Choose this course if...

You want to learn about the 'big issues' that affect society, you have enjoyed humanities subjects like philosophy and ethics / religious studies, and you are interested to find out how social scientists use research methods including interviews and questionnaires to gather evidence and test theories.

Where this course could take you

This course provides a sound foundation for the study of related subjects including criminology at university. It is also extremely useful for anyone interested in future work in education, policing, healthcare or social care.

Skills and experience you will need

The ability to learn the details of theories and evidence, and to write clear, well-argued essays of the type that brings success in English, history and RS (philosophy and ethics) is key to success on this course.