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Key Details

Course Area:

A Levels

Student Type:

16 - 18 | A Levels

Course Type:

A Level course

Course Introduction

If you like solving problems and have got a mathematical brain, an A Level in Computer Science may be just right for you.

From games developer to manager of IT and communications services, computer science graduates have a range of opportunities open to them. Almost a third of computer science graduates employed in the UK are working as programmers and software development professionals. Many are working as web design and development professionals.

Most businesses rely on computers to function effectively, so whether you want to work for an IT consultancy, a major organisation in retail, aerospace or healthcare for example, or even set up your own web design business, you’ll have a great start to your career with a sought-after computer science qualification.

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.

Computer science is a practical subject that enables you to apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real world systems. It is a creative subject that helps you to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. There is an emphasis on learning computer programming and the mathematical skills used to express computational laws and processes. A maths A Level would be very complementary to a Computer Science A Level and subsequent degree.

Topics include:

  • Software development
  • Algorithms
  • Exchanging data
  • Programming

Course Information

OCR A Level Computer Science

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 6 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

All applicants will complete an assessment at enrolment.

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.

Assessment is a combination of examinations and practical projects.

You could progress to a related Higher Education course in Computer Science.

This course is also well thought of by employers for students wanting to go straight into employment.

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 Business

A Level Economics

A Level Geology