Course Summary

It’s impossible to imagine a world without computers. No Internet or online communications, no mobile phones or digital cameras, no modern transportation - cars, trains or planes.  This course will teach you how to use computers to make the world work as it does.

You’ll learn how to program a computer to behave as you want it to, anything from controlling a robot to making life-saving calculations or building your own version of Amazon. You’ll learn how computers communicate together to form networks like the Internet.

You’ll also learn an important life skill: how to formulate and solve problems.  This is a great foundation for being able to solve challenges that lie in the future - not only for computer scientists but also for people in a wide variety of professions.

Entry requirements

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C equivalent or above, including English at grade 5 and Maths at grade 4.

You will have an interview and initial assessment. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the interview but not the initial assessment. If you are successful, you will be allocated a place to study.

To progress to the second year, you will need to demonstrate a Pass grade or above in your first year.

Course Content

1. Fundamentals of programming
2. Fundamentals of data structures
3. Software development
4. Theory of computation
5. Fundamentals of data representation
6. Fundamentals of computer systems
7. Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
8. Consequences of uses of computing
9. Fundamentals of communication and networking
10. Fundamentals of databases
11. Big Data
12. Fundamentals of functional programming
13. Systematic approach to problem solving
14. Non-exam assessment - the computing practical project

How will I be assessed?

40% - An on-screen examination

40% - Written examination

20% - Non-examination assessment

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

No

What can I do after this course?

What can I study after the course?

Students can go on to higher education courses or employment where knowledge of computing would be beneficial.

What careers does it lead to?

Students can study Computer Science and go on to a career in fields such as medicine, law, technology, business, accounting, ICT, e-commerce, politics, maths, teaching or any type of science.

Note - you only need to make one application for A-levels. You can specify the additional A-Levels you wish to study when you fill out the application form