A Level Physics

Year 1

• Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics; students must complete a minimum of 12 practical activities to demonstrate practical Competence.

• Module 2 – Foundations of Physics; includes topics on physical quantities and units, scalars and vectors and measurements.

• Module 3 – Forces and motion; covers topics on motion, forces and energy.

• Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons; Includes topics on electrical circuits, waves and quantum physics.

Year 2

• Module 5 – Newtonian world and astrophysics; with topics on thermal physics, circular motion, oscillations, stars and Cosmology.

• Module 6 – Particles and medical physics; covering electric and magnetic fields, fundamental particles, radioactivity and medical imaging.

Extra Curricular Opportunities:

We have links with the National Space Centre and Leicester and Loughborough universities. We also enter a team for the Engineering Education Scheme and these students typically study Physics at A Level. There is also the opportunity to visit CERN to learn in more detail about particle Physics. It is strongly recommended that students taking A level Physics also study A level Maths.

The A Level course is assessed by 3 external exams at the end of year 2. These will cover the content from both year 1 and year 2. There is also a non-exam assessment. This consists of demonstrating practical competence in 12 activities that will be undertaken throughout the course. Students will receive a pass or fail for this component of the course.

General entry requirements of 5 GCSE grades at grade 4 or above. Plus a 6-6 in Combined Science or a grade 6 in Physics plus a grade 6 in a second science, a grade 6 in Maths and a 5 in English Literature or Language. It is strongly recommended that students are taking A Level Mathematics when taking this course.

Most students who are successful at A Level Physics, go on to higher education. Physics is a useful A level for studying Physics, Maths and Engineering based degrees. Due to the problem solving and analytical skills developed during the course, Physics also supports Architecture, Law and Medical degrees.