Chemistry

Chemistry offers students the opportunity to increase their understanding of the physical world around them and to gain insight into the importance of this vital science in our everyday lives.

Why Chemistry?

Chemistry is an essential subject for degree courses in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy. It is also a requirement for Medicine and Dentistry, and for other courses in the life sciences. A Level Chemistry is a good supporting subject for other areas in the physical sciences and engineering and can contribute to the understanding of both A Level Physics and Biology.

With its blend of theoretical, numerical and practical skills, its encouragement of logical thinking, academic rigour and the precise use of terminology, A Level Chemistry is excellent training for many fields. Former students have gone on to a variety of successful careers in industry and commerce, law, accountancy and the academic world.

This A Level Chemistry course has been designed to progress smoothly from the material covered at IGCSE, and aims to make Chemistry interesting and enjoyable.

You will be taught in modern, well-equipped laboratories and supported by two specialist teachers, who will guide you in developing your skills and understanding through a variety of individual, individual, group, and practical work, as well as teacher demonstrations.

We recommend that students who are beginning this course should have previously completed an IGCSE course, or the equivalent, in Chemistry and achieved the minimum of a B grade.

Assessment

Candidates for Advanced Subsidiary (AS) certification take Papers 1, 2 and 3, in a single examination series at the end of Year 12.

Paper 1 Multiple Choice 1 hour 15 minutes (AS Level 31% A Level 15.5%)

Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions 1 hour 15 minutes (AS Level 46% A Level 23%)

Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills 2 hours (AS Level 23% A Level 11.5%)

Candidates who have received AS certification, and wish to continue their studies to the full Advanced Level qualification, may carry their AS marks forward. They will then only be required to take Papers 4 and 5 in the examination series in which they require certification.

Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions 2 hours (A Level 38.5%)

Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation 1 hour 15 minutes (A Level 11.5%)

Candidates who are not taking forward AS examination marks, and are taking the full Advanced Level qualification at the end of the course, take all five papers in a single examination series at the end of Year 13.

Further information

Full course details can be found at: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-chemistry-9701/