A Level Chemistry
Studying A Level Chemistry is critical if you’re considering medicine, veterinary work or dentistry at university. It provides the basis for a whole host of different careers – whether designing chemical reactors for industry, working to protect the environment or developing new medicines and materials. Chemistry is a popular science and we have excellent laboratory facilities. The facilities allow the students a wide variety of learning activities including formal lectures, practical sessions and group work.
Year 1 (four modules of study):
- Development of practical skills in chemistry
- Foundations in chemistry including atomic structure and bonding
- Periodic table and energy including elements of group 2 and group 7
- Core organic chemistry
Year 2 (six modules of study):
- Development of practical skills in chemistry
- Foundations in chemistry including atomic structure and bonding
- Periodic table and energy including elements of group 2 and group 7
- Core organic chemistry
- Physical chemistry and transition elements including rates of reaction and equilibrium
- Organic chemistry and analysis including spectroscopy
All students studying A Levels must have at least five GCSEs at grade A* – C (grade 9 – 5) in academic subjects, including English Language at grade C (grade 5). Two of these must be B grades (grade 6).
Specifically for Chemistry, you will need GCSE Double Science at BB (grade 6) or above, OR GCSE Chemistry at B (grade 6) or above AND GCSE Maths at B (grade 6) or above AND a total GCSE point score of 30 or more for your best five subjects.
A Level Chemistry is assessed through a series of written examinations, which can cover content from several or all modules studied. Practical skills are not examined but activities carried out during the year are endorsed by the examining board through the college.
Most A Level students who have studied Chemistry go on to university to study a wide range of courses such as veterinary science, biomedical sciences, physics, analytical chemistry and marine anthropology.
The skills you acquire as a chemist are useful in a wide range of careers. Chemists are frequently employed in the financial sector, manufacturing industry, teaching and the law as well as working in laboratory research and development.
PAUL FERGUSON
- BSc Chemistry from the University of Hull
- Over 30 years’ experience as lecturer and examiner
- Also taught Environmental Science and laboratory operations in science-based industries
AMNINDER SINGH – ALUMNI STUDENT
A* in Chemistry A Level
Studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham