A-Level in Physics

Universities and employers are always impressed by a qualification in Physics; an A-level in it will open up a vast array of opportunities and careers within Science and beyond.

Year 1

• Measurements and their errors
• Particles
• Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
• Progressive and stationary waves
• Refraction, diffraction and interference
• Force, energy and momentum
• Materials
• Current electricity

Year 2

• Periodic Motion
• Thermal Physics
• Fields
• Gravitational Fields
• Electric Fields
• Capacitance
• Magnetic Fields
• Radioactivity
• Turning points in Physics (The discovery of the electron, wave-particle duality and special relativity)

Students can take this course to complement other Advanced Level courses which could lead onto Higher Education in Science-related subjects or more general Higher Education courses. Physics is normally an essential A level for many degree courses.

For a Physics degree, virtually all universities require you to have Physics and Mathematics A Level. Many also ask that you have an A level in Further Mathematics or another science – Chemistry usually fits very nicely alongside Physics as it is the other main physical science. For Engineering degrees, Mathematics is essential alongside a Science or Technology A level and Physics would be ideal as it complements the Engineering A level very well in certain topics.

• Component 1: Paper 1 (topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills) written exam 34%
• Component 2: Paper 2 (topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills) written exam 34%
• Component 3: Paper 3 (topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills) written exam 32%

Practical endorsement appears on a student’s A-level certificate as a separately reported result. Practical endorsement is assessed by teachers and is based on direct observation of a student’s competency in a range of skills.

For all Sixth Form courses, students must have five GCSE (or equivalent) passes at Grades 9-4. For this course this must include Mathematics at a Grade 6 or above and English Language/Literature at a Grade 4 or above.

If you do not select Mathematics as one of your other options it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to study Core Maths alongside Physics as an additional subject in Year 12.

If you would like to study a combination of more than one of Maths, Further Maths (double option), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, there are additional entry requirements with regards to GCSE Average Points Score (APS).

Further details can be found in the options booklet on our website: www.ashbyschool.org.uk

Universities and employers are always impressed by a qualification in Physics; an A-level in it will open up a vast array of opportunities and careers within Science and beyond.

These are just some examples of industries and jobs an A-Level in Physics can lead to: Space physics (e.g. cosmologist, planet-hunter, astrophysicist, space engineer), Medicine (e.g. medical physicist, radiographer), Engineering (e.g. structural engineer, architect), Renewables (e.g. solar physicist), Films, TV and video games (the law of Physics are used to make visual effects and video games believable), Science Journalism, Sports Engineering, Business, Banking, Law, Teaching.