A-Level Computer Science is an option suitable for students who are considering pursuing a career in the subject, including in software engineering, network security or data science. We follow the AQA Computer Science A Level specification, which focuses heavily on problem-solving and practical programming. The course is particularly beneficial to those who already enjoy programming in their own time and want to take their skills a step further. Thanks to small group sizes, we can tailor the course in each year to interests and ambitions of individual students.
In practice, we look at each pupil as an individual to see how they conform to our principles and we usually expect that they will have achieved at least 5 GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade 5 or above with ideally grade 6 or above in the subjects they wish to study at A-Level. However, some of the subjects you are interested in may not have been taught at GCSE, so it is impossible to specify exact entry requirements for all of our A-Level subjects. We will consider equivalent qualifications gained from other educational systems. Our philosophy for learning is designed to challenge all students in learning and thinking and to encourage and develop a resilient mindset. Python programming experience, at least at a strong GCSE level, is essential to start the AQA A-Level Computer Science course. Hence, a GCSE in the subject is a requirement for all those who plan to study this A-Level at OLA. An exception can be made for those with strong mathematical skills and independently obtained Python programming experience – they should discuss their choice in advance with the Subject Coordinator. A significant part of the course is heavily mathematical. While the content covered is different to this in A-level mathematics, it still requires logical reasoning and applying mathematical processes. We do not require Computer Science students to also study A-level mathematics, but we would only recommend the course to candidates with at least a grade 7 in Mathematics GCSE. If you find mathematics enjoyable and interesting, then you will also like Computer Science.
On-Screen exam (40%) tests student’s ability to program and their theoretical knowledge of programming paradigms, data structures, algorithms, and theory of computation. About half of the marks on this paper are for programming tasks that students attempt during the examination. Written exam (40%) tests student’s ability to answer questions on the theoretical and mathematical part of the course. It contains mostly short-answer questions (1-6 marks) on computer architecture and networking, as well as mathematical problems in topics such as number systems or Boolean algebra. Non-Examination Assessment (20%) is completed by our students throughout their Upper Sixth year, partly in class and partly at home. The NEA is a programming project of student’s choice (of sufficient complexity), designed and implemented with a specific customer in mind.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Oxfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £12,435 - £18,525 |
| Address | Radley Road, Abingdon, OX14 3PS |
A-Level Computer Science is an option suitable for students who are considering pursuing a career in the subject, including in software engineering, network security or data science. We follow the AQA Computer Science A Level specification, which focuses heavily on problem-solving and practical programming. The course is particularly beneficial to those who already enjoy programming in their own time and want to take their skills a step further. Thanks to small group sizes, we can tailor the course in each year to interests and ambitions of individual students.
In practice, we look at each pupil as an individual to see how they conform to our principles and we usually expect that they will have achieved at least 5 GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade 5 or above with ideally grade 6 or above in the subjects they wish to study at A-Level. However, some of the subjects you are interested in may not have been taught at GCSE, so it is impossible to specify exact entry requirements for all of our A-Level subjects. We will consider equivalent qualifications gained from other educational systems. Our philosophy for learning is designed to challenge all students in learning and thinking and to encourage and develop a resilient mindset. Python programming experience, at least at a strong GCSE level, is essential to start the AQA A-Level Computer Science course. Hence, a GCSE in the subject is a requirement for all those who plan to study this A-Level at OLA. An exception can be made for those with strong mathematical skills and independently obtained Python programming experience – they should discuss their choice in advance with the Subject Coordinator. A significant part of the course is heavily mathematical. While the content covered is different to this in A-level mathematics, it still requires logical reasoning and applying mathematical processes. We do not require Computer Science students to also study A-level mathematics, but we would only recommend the course to candidates with at least a grade 7 in Mathematics GCSE. If you find mathematics enjoyable and interesting, then you will also like Computer Science.
On-Screen exam (40%) tests student’s ability to program and their theoretical knowledge of programming paradigms, data structures, algorithms, and theory of computation. About half of the marks on this paper are for programming tasks that students attempt during the examination. Written exam (40%) tests student’s ability to answer questions on the theoretical and mathematical part of the course. It contains mostly short-answer questions (1-6 marks) on computer architecture and networking, as well as mathematical problems in topics such as number systems or Boolean algebra. Non-Examination Assessment (20%) is completed by our students throughout their Upper Sixth year, partly in class and partly at home. The NEA is a programming project of student’s choice (of sufficient complexity), designed and implemented with a specific customer in mind.