Computer Science 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 Applications from students who are not eligible for ESFA funding will have their application withdrawn by the school.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 Computer Science?

This qualification is relevant to the modern and changing world of computing and is also relevant to the higher education community. Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It’s an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement. The course values computational thinking, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. It is designed to inspire and challenge students to apply the knowledge they gain with the creative and technical skills they acquire. Other aspects are:

A Level Computer Science is focused on programming; it builds on GCSE Computing and emphasises the importance of computational thinking as a discipline.

There is an expanded Maths focus, much of which is embedded within the course.

There is an increased emphasis on coding and programming.

What Does The Course Involve?

Unit 1: Computer Systems

Covers the characteristics of contemporary systems architecture and other areas including the following:

Software and its development

Types of programming languages

Data types, representation and structures

Exchanging data and web technologies

Following algorithms

Using Boolean algebra

Legal, moral and ethical issues.

Unit 2: Algorithms and Programming

Elements of computational thinking

Programming and problem solving

Pattern recognition, abstraction and decomposition Algorithm design and efficiency, and Standard algorithms

Unit 3: Programming Project

You are set a user-driven problem of an appropriate size and complexity to solve. You will need to analyse the problem, design a solution, implement the solution and give a thorough evaluation.

Exam board: OCR. 80% exam, 20% coursework.

What Are The Entry Criteria?

TTo 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 6 in Computer Science, 6 in Maths

Leading To A Career In?

Typical roles in industry include software engineer, developer, analyst, project manager, software architect, tester and operational manager; career development opportunities are almost unlimited within the industry.