An A Level science student at Sunderland College.

A-Level Physics

School leaver

Start Date:	Duration:	Level:	Study mode:	Course Location:	Course Type:
September	2 years	Level 3	Part-Time - Day	Bede Campus	A-Levels	Apply	Enquire

What’s it all about?

This course is very suitable for students who have an interest in understanding how the natural world works and wish to achieve an A-Level qualification in the subject. Physics supports a wide range of diverse careers such as in high-level sciences, engineering, architecture and medical professions.

What do you need to apply for the course?

You will need 5 GCSE's at grades 5-9, including grade 6 in Maths, Science at grade 6, or Physics and another science at grade 6.

*Course costs

Study level	Cost	Additional fees
16-18	Free	You will need to provide your own stationery and study equipment. A mathematical calculator is also very helpful - we recommend the Casio fx-991EX ClassWiz model.

How will you be assessed?

This course is primarily laboratory based and taught using a combination of theory lecture sessions, practical experiments and other investigative activities.

You will be familiar with some of the topics through GCSE-level study but A-Level will deepen your knowledge and provide an exciting stepping stone to future study and employment as well as helping you to develop scientific understanding, logical analysis and critical thinking skills. At the end of the course, you will sit three examination papers: Paper 1 Particles, Waves, Electricity & Periodic Motion (34%), Paper 2 Thermal Physics, Fields & Nuclear Physics (34%) and Paper 3 Practical skills & Astrophysics (32%).

Maths & English

English and mathematics are very important subjects that will equip you with the key skills to help you to achieve your best in your A-Level studies and progression towards your future career.

In order to study A-Level Physics, you will need to have achieved GCSE mathematics at grade 6 or above.

Times for delivery

The sixth form day is 9am - 4.15pm, Monday-Friday. You will study each of your subjects for 4hr 45min per week, across three separate lessons. Your timetable will be determined by the combination of subjects that you study, and will be made available to you at the start of the academic year.

You are not required to be on campus when you do not have a timetabled lesson, although we would strongly recommend that you are. Making effective use of our learning facilities and resources during such study periods will ensure that you keep on top of your work and make significant progress in your studies, not to mention developing important time-management, organisation and independent-study skills.

Modules

The A-Level specification is designed to stimulate your prior interest and curiosity in topics relevant to the real, physical world and develop your understanding and appreciation of its natural beauty and structure.

In Year 12, you will study a variety of topics, including:
Particles & Quantum Phenomena
Electricity
Mechanics
Materials and waves

During Year 13, you will study:
Momentum
Circular and simple harmonic motion
Gravitational and Electrical Fields
Magnetic Fields
Nuclear physics and Astrophysics

What’s next?

The study of physics can help you progress into a wide range of career areas, for example; applied physics, astrophysics, geophysics, material technology, forensic science, engineering, meteorology and medical physics. Some other complementary career areas include medicine, mathematics, computing, finance, law, accountancy and many more.

If you progress to university, physics graduates are highly employable and their career options are very wide. You may go on to apply your physics knowledge directly in a scientific or engineering environment, or might use your mathematical knowledge in finance, your computing skills in software, or your problem-solving skills in business.