Computer Science (A Level)

• A minimum average point score of 4.80
• Grade 5 English Language GCSE; Grade 6 Maths GCSE

This Computer Science A Level course will develop your understanding of how computers work and how they are programmed. The focus will be on computational thinking, algorithms and computer programming skills. It is taught over two years with exams at the end of the course. An avid interest in programming, logical thinking, problem-solving and a preference for exams (the course is 80% written exam and 20% coursework) would be a real advantage. Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems.

Our world is dominated by computers; they are present in almost every aspect of what we do. The aim of this course is to develop your computer programming skills through completing practical tasks and activities in the first year, building up in the second year to a project based on developing a solution to a real life problem, for a client of your choosing. An avid interest in programming and problem solving is crucial.

A Level Computer Science is taken with another 2 A Levels or with 1 A Level and 1 Level 3 Extended Certificate/AAQ. It works well with most other subjects but combines particularly well with other Maths or Science courses.

Key topics and what to expect:

• Develop and understand computing terms and concepts
• Develop the expertise to analyse, design, program, test and document computer programs using Python
• Carry out the development of a computer application for a real client
• Study the organisation, structure of data and its transmission
• Learn about data security and the social and legal implications of computing systems
• Develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically