Computer Science A Level

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Computer Science

A Level                                                                  Exam Board: OCR

Entrance Requirements

In order to study Computer Science at A Level you need to have studied the subject for GCSE and achieved at least a grade 7. You should also have a minimum of a 7 in GCSE Maths and be studying Maths at A Level.

You must have your own laptop to complete your work.

Why Study Computer Science?

Computer Science is all about problem solving. This is probably the most important skill for life.

Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital prism. Computational thinking helps students to develop the skill to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.

Career Opportunities

We live in a digital world. Every aspect of life and work involves computers. Because every industry uses computers, computer scientists can work anywhere, on any project. You want to work in design, architecture, engineering, publishing, health, artificial intelligence, robotics, music or film production (the list is endless)? Then Computer Science is one of the best points to start from. Don’t know what you want to do with your life? Perfect! Most jobs available when you leave university have not even been thought of yet.

According to the Complete University Guide, computer scientists are in high demand. 93.6% of graduates from the top 10 universities are professionally employed or in further studies 6 months after graduating.

Course Content

• Computational Thinking and Problem Solving
• Programming techniques
• Computer Systems
• Structure and function of the processor
• Type of processor
• Systems software
• Applications generation
• Software development
• Types of programming language
• Compression, Encryption and Hashing
• Databases
• Networks
• Web technologies
• Automated decision making
• Artificial intelligence
• Programming Project

You will also complete a practical programming project. This can be in Python, Swift or a C based language and you are free to negotiate a problem to solve under the guidance of your teacher. This could be a mobile app, data management information systems or game project, among others. You can even use Unity if you wish.

Assessment

There are two written exams:

Computer Systems                                                   Algorithms and Programming

2½ hours written paper                                          2½ hours written paper

140 marks                                                                   140 marks

40% of total A Level                                                 40% of total A Level

 

The third component is the individual non-exam assessment:

Programming Project

70 marks

20% of total A Level