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Key Details

Course Area:

Science

Student Type:

16 - 18 | A Levels

Course Type:

A Level course

Course Introduction

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and change of the matter which makes up our world. You will study the world right down to its molecular and atomic structure, discovering more about the elements and compounds which surround us in our daily lives.

Cooking is chemistry. Everything you can touch or taste or smell is a chemical. Chemistry explains why detergent works better in hot water and how one pain killer will be better than another if you’ve got a headache. It enables you to understand the world around you on a deeper level.

Famous chemists include Nobel Prize winning Marie Curie who discovered Radium and Polonium, Louis Pasteur who created early vaccines for anthrax and rabies and Alfred Nobel who invented dynamite and went on to give his name to one of the most prestigious prizes in the world.

This course will give you a great theoretical base, but will also cover the practical application of chemistry in our everyday lives.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Topics include:

  • General chemistry
  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Organic chemistry
  • Physical chemistry
  • Analytical chemistry
  • and many more advanced topics

Course Information

A Level Chemistry

Level 3

2 year A Level Programme:

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English at grade 4 or above and Maths at grade 5 or above
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 7 or above
  • Grade 5 or above in GCSE Maths plus Grade 6 or above in GCSE Chemistry, Additional Science,
    or Science Trilogy. If you achieve Grade 5 in Maths you will also be enrolled onto a Core Maths qualification.
    If choosing Chemistry and not taking either Biology or Physics, discussion and approval by a chemistry
    tutor will be necessary.

The following qualifications are NOT accepted:

  • GCSE Applied Science
  • GCSE Combined Science: Synergy
  • BTEC Science

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.

Three written papers of two hours duration.

You could progress to a related higher education course such as medicine, agriculture, materials technology, energy, pharmacy, physiotherapy or chemical biochemistry.

There are lots of careers open to you such as:

  • Dentist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Doctor
  • Forensic scientist
  • Biochemist

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Related Courses

A Level Biology

A Level Physics

Applied Science (Level 1 BTEC Introductory Diploma) (16-18) - Full-time