A Level Chemistry

Chemistry is a critical A Level 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 – ideal for formal lectures, practical sessions and group work.

Course Overview

This is what we’ll cover over the two years:

YEAR 1 AS LEVEL CONTENT:

Topic 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Topic 2: Bonding and Structure
Topic 3: Redox I
Topic 4: Inorganic Chemistry and the Periodic Table
Topic 5: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Topic 6: Organic Chemistry I
Topic 7: Modern Analytical Techniques I
Topic 8: Energetics I
Topic 9: Kinetics I
Topic 10: Equilibrium I

YEAR 2 A2 CONTENT:

Topic 11: Equilibrium II
Topic 12: Acid-base Equilibria
Topic 13: Energetics II
Topic 14: Redox II
Topic 15: Transition Metals
Topic 16: Kinetics II
Topic 17: Organic Chemistry II
Topic 18: Organic Chemistry III
Topic 19: Modern Analytical Techniques II

Entry Requirements

All students studying A Levels should have at least five GCSEs at grade 9 – 5 in academic subjects, including English Language at grade 5. Two of these should be grade 6.

Specifically for Chemistry, you will need GCSE Double Science at grade 6 or above, OR GCSE Chemistry at grade 6 or above AND GCSE Maths at grade 6 or above AND a total GCSE point score of 30 or more for your best five subjects.

Assessment Information

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.

Career Opportunities

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.