Entry Requirements
Students should have achieved at least Grade B in GCSE Computing/Computer Science. A student who has not studied computer science at GCSE may also qualify if awarded at least a Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics
Why study Computer Science?
Advances in computing are transforming the way we work. It is important for students to be at the forefront of these changes and be able to lead change, rather than just follow it. This course focuses on the theory of computer science which is then applied through computer programming.
Subject at A-level
Students will sit two papers at the end of the A-level course plus a non-exam assessment.
Structure of Paper 1 This paper tests a student’s ability to program, as well as their theoretical knowledge of computer science.
Students answer a series of short questions and write/adapt/extend programs in an Electronic Answer Document (EAD) provided by the exam board.
The exam board will issue preliminary material in the form of a skeleton program in Python for use in the exam.
Subject Content of Paper 1
Fundamentals of Programming Fundamentals of Data Structures Fundamentals of Algorithms Theory of Computation Systematic approach of Problem Solving
Assessment: Paper 1 is a 2½ hour on screen exam worth 40% of the total A-level grade.
Structure of Paper 2 A series of short-answer and extended-answer questions.
Subject Content of Paper 2 Fundamentals of Data Representation Fundamentals of Computer Systems
Fundamentals of Computer Organisation and Architecture Consequences of Uses of Computing Fundamentals of Communication and Networking Fundamentals of Databases Big Data Fundamentals of Functional Programming
Assessment: Paper 2 is a 2½hour written exam worth 40% of the total A-level grade.
Non-Exam Assessment
The non-exam assessment assesses student’s ability to use the knowledge and skills gained through the course to solve or investigate a practical problem. Students will be expected to follow a systematic approach to problem solving. The problem to be solved is decided by the candidate and should be related to an area of interest.
Assessment: worth 20% of the total A-level grade. 22
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