When Charles Babbage invented the Analytical Engine, I am sure he could not have imagined how significant computers would become. You probably use several computers before you get to school every morning. Alarm clocks, television, radio, traffic light systems, pelican crossings, cash machines, and mobile phones, to name but a few. They are threaded through our everyday life. Computer Science A Level helps you to understand their role, how they work and how you can control them. The course gives students a broad experience of the world of computing including finite state machines, logic gates, binary logic, database design, binary number systems, high-level programming and the fundamentals of computer systems. More important than all of this is the problem-solving approach it instils in the students who do this course. It teaches them to examine a problem break it down into manageable stages and organise a plan to solve it. These are skills students can apply across all of their learning. Computer Science is a growth area at University and the United Kingdom is a world leader so employment prospects are also good. Currently, there is a world shortage of suitably qualified computer scientists.
Students usually require a minimum of five passes at GCSE grades 9 – 4, including Mathematics and English Language. Students will normally also need to have at least a grade 6 in the subjects they wish to study at A-Level, but each applicant is considered on an individual basis.
Computer Science is assessed in three parts: Paper 1: Practical Problem Solving and Programming This is examined by a 2 hour 30 minutes, on-screen exam of short answer questions and programming problems. All questions are compulsory. There is pre-release material including a skeleton program and the questions in the exam will relate to this material. The pre-release material gives students plenty of time to prepare for the exam. This contributes 40% on the marks of the A level. Paper 2: Theoretical Aspects This is examined by a 2 hour 30 minutes written paper. It covers more theoretical aspects such as Fundamentals of Computer Systems and Consequences of the Use of Computing. This contributes 40 % of the marks of the A level. Non Examined Assessment: Problem Solving, Programming, Operating Systems, Databases and Networking Students complete a practical project in computing using the knowledge and skills they gain on the course. The project is chosen by the student and not set by AQA. This could involve producing a system to meet an end user need, or alternatively investigating some aspect of computer science. This contributes 20 % of the marks of the A Level. There is no non-examined assessment at AS.
About Education Provider
| Region | East Midlands |
| Local Authority | Leicestershire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | Station Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, CV13 0LE |
When Charles Babbage invented the Analytical Engine, I am sure he could not have imagined how significant computers would become. You probably use several computers before you get to school every morning. Alarm clocks, television, radio, traffic light systems, pelican crossings, cash machines, and mobile phones, to name but a few. They are threaded through our everyday life. Computer Science A Level helps you to understand their role, how they work and how you can control them. The course gives students a broad experience of the world of computing including finite state machines, logic gates, binary logic, database design, binary number systems, high-level programming and the fundamentals of computer systems. More important than all of this is the problem-solving approach it instils in the students who do this course. It teaches them to examine a problem break it down into manageable stages and organise a plan to solve it. These are skills students can apply across all of their learning. Computer Science is a growth area at University and the United Kingdom is a world leader so employment prospects are also good. Currently, there is a world shortage of suitably qualified computer scientists.
Students usually require a minimum of five passes at GCSE grades 9 – 4, including Mathematics and English Language. Students will normally also need to have at least a grade 6 in the subjects they wish to study at A-Level, but each applicant is considered on an individual basis.
Computer Science is assessed in three parts: Paper 1: Practical Problem Solving and Programming This is examined by a 2 hour 30 minutes, on-screen exam of short answer questions and programming problems. All questions are compulsory. There is pre-release material including a skeleton program and the questions in the exam will relate to this material. The pre-release material gives students plenty of time to prepare for the exam. This contributes 40% on the marks of the A level. Paper 2: Theoretical Aspects This is examined by a 2 hour 30 minutes written paper. It covers more theoretical aspects such as Fundamentals of Computer Systems and Consequences of the Use of Computing. This contributes 40 % of the marks of the A level. Non Examined Assessment: Problem Solving, Programming, Operating Systems, Databases and Networking Students complete a practical project in computing using the knowledge and skills they gain on the course. The project is chosen by the student and not set by AQA. This could involve producing a system to meet an end user need, or alternatively investigating some aspect of computer science. This contributes 20 % of the marks of the A Level. There is no non-examined assessment at AS.