Chemistry A Level

Applicants will only be considered once all the application information has been completed including predicted and/or actual grades and references.

Applicants with non-UK qualifications, for example, overseas qualifications, will be required to have the equivalence of their qualifications verified by UK ENIC (the wider European title for national recognition agencies www.enic.org.uk) who will charge the you a fee for providing this ‘Statement of Comparability’. If you are unable to gain a Statement of Comparability, we reserve the right to withdraw your application due to the lack of comparable grade evidence. We are required to ensure that students are eligible for ESFA funding, which is guaranteed if they are living with a parent who: Has British citizenship and/or; Has a right of abode/leave to enter the UK and/or; Has a relevant work permit/visa and/or; Is a foreign diplomat.

Please provide any outstanding documentary evidence in relation to the above. Applications from students who are not eligible for ESFA funding will have their application withdrawn by the school. The school does not hold a licence to support applicants with Home Office Tier 4 Student Visa status.

Why Study Chemistry?

Are you open-minded, imaginative, argumentative, methodical, logical and determined? Do you wonder about the world, how it works and how mankind is changing it? If so, you will probably be interested in A Level Chemistry at Hinchingbrooke. It is a rewarding but demanding course, which sets the s subject within a relevant and modern-day framework, without sacrificing intellectual rigour. It builds on the higher concepts learnt at GCSE and appeals to students who like to ask the questions ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘what’ and are keen to find out the answers.

What Does The Course Involve?

Module 1: Development of practical skills in Chemistry: skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation

Module 2: Foundations in Chemistry: atoms, compounds, molecules and equations; amount of substance; acid–base and redox reactions; electrons, bonding and structure

Module 3: Periodic Table and energy: the Periodic Table and periodicity; Group 2 and the halogens; qualitative analysis; enthalpy changes; reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Module 4: Core organic Chemistry: basic concepts; hydrocarbons; alcohols and haloalkanes; organic synthesis; analytical techniques (IR, MS)

Module 5: Physical Chemistry and transition elements: reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative); pH and buffers; enthalpy, entropy and free energy; redox and electrode potentials;

transition elements

Module 6: Organic Chemistry and analysis: Aromatic compounds; carbonyl compounds;

carboxylic acids and esters; nitrogen compounds; polymers; organic synthesis; chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR).

How Will I Be Assessed?

Exam Board: OCR. There are 3 papers plus a practical endorsement.

To qualify for a place in Sixth Form, you must achieve five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including Maths and either English Language or Literature or five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, plus at least a grade 4 in Maths and English Language or literature. For this course: GCSE grade 7 in Chemistry and 6 in Maths, 7-7 for Combined Science students and 6 in Maths

Leading To A Career In?

As far as employment prospects are concerned, Chemistry is a 'heavyweight' subject, essential for many scientific careers and highly regarded for non-vocational jobs. It has obvious relevance for medicine and veterinary science, as well as jobs in businesses involved in drugs and medicine manufacture, agriculture, brewing, food, biotechnology and forensic science – to name just a few. Any student qualified in Chemistry will automatically be regarded as someone who is numerate, well organised, self-motivated and intellectually adept – useful qualities to bring to any job.