0800 028 0289
Computer Science (A-level)Apply Now »
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
Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Years: 2
Adult Loan Amount: 2583.00****
Interview: Y
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 at least five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English Language at grade 5 (C/B) and Maths at grade 4 (C).
A GCSE in Computer Science is not a pre-requisite. However, if you have studied it, a grade 5 (C/B) is required.
A recent school report will be required which demonstrates a committed attitude to learning.
It is assumed that students enrol on a two-year A-level programme of study consisting of three or more subjects. However, students will be expected to demonstrate a committed attitude to learning and make positive progress in their first year of study.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of programming
- Fundamentals of data structures
- Software development
- Theory of computation
- Fundamentals of data representation
- Fundamentals of computer systems
- Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
- Consequences of uses of computing
- Fundamentals of communication and networking
- Fundamentals of databases
- Big Data
- Fundamentals of functional programming
- Systematic approach to problem solving
- Non-exam assessment - the computing practical project
How will I be assessed?
40% - 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
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
Hannah McDonald
Confidence gained in English lectures helps A level student Hannah secure policing role
Confidence gained in English lectures helps A level student Hannah secure policing role Learning how to share her opinion, build her vocabulary and speak more effectively has given former Derby College A Levels student Hannah McDonald a good grounding for a career with the police.
Hannah, who is 18 and from Newton, is soon to become a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) following a rigorous recruitment procedure.
She has also secured a place on the Professional Policing BA (Hons) degree course at Nottingham Trent University, deferred until September 2021.
In her PCSO role, Hannah will be based in Ripley and Chesterfield, supporting Derbyshire Police by going into schools to talk about issues such as knife crime and road safety.
Hannah, who took law, psychology and combined English Literature and English Language A levels at Joseph Wright Centre, found her English lecturers especially helpful.
She said: “I’d thought English was all about reading books but it’s about so much more. It’s about being put under pressure and trusting your opinions enough to share them or put them in an essay, because English is so subjective and there’s never a wrong answer. In our English classes we gave PowerPoint presentations to the class, so we got used to sharing our ideas and opinions.
The course also enhanced my communication skills. It enabled me to build up my vocabulary to speak more effectively.”
These abilities gave Hannah the confidence to volunteer at a local primary school, helping children with maths and English, on her Wednesday mornings off from College – experience which she is sure led to her getting her PCSO role.
She added: “There aren’t many PCSO places so it’s extremely competitive and it was a tough recruitment process. My English lecturers were incredibly supportive in helping me prepare my application, even though we’ve not been at College for months because of lockdown.
Going to JWC has definitely been confidence-building and a good grounding for my police career. My English teachers taught me how to speak up for myself and not be afraid to give my opinion.”
There aren’t many PCSO places so it’s extremely competitive and it was a tough recruitment process. My English lecturers were incredibly supportive in helping me prepare my application, even though we’ve not been at College for months because of lockdown.
“Going to JWC has definitely been confidence-building and a good grounding for my police career. My English teachers taught me how to speak up for myself and not be afraid to give my opinion.
