Chemistry A Level

The General entry requirements for A Level courses are six GCSEs grades 9-4 and above, including English Language.

Grade 4 English - 6 in Maths - 66 in Science - 6 in subject.

The Six Modules of Chemistry A

A-level Chemistry 2 year course

Exam Board: OCR Chemistry A (Specification code: H432)

This course uses a content-led approach, with the specification divided into six modules covering key concepts:

Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry

Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry

Module 3 – Periodic table and energy

Module 4 – Core organic chemistry

Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements

Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis

The teaching of practical skills is fully integrated with the theoretical topics

Your Path to Success

Your learning will be supported by extensive discussions, use of practical equipment, and applications. You will engage in frequent practical work to encourage confident and accurate use of equipment.

There will be an internal test at the end of Year 1. The final A-level grade is determined by three external papers at the end of Year 2. The Practical Endorsement must be completed during the scheduled timetabled lessons and is a separate pass/fail assessment.

The exams carry a 20% Maths weighting.

The three exam papers are:

Paper 1

100 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes.

Covers Modules 1, 2, 3, and 5.

Consists of 15 Multiple Choice Questions, Short Answer Questions, and Extended Answer Questions.

Paper 2

100 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes.

Covers Modules 1, 2, 4, and 6.

Consists of 15 Multiple Choice Questions, Short Answer Questions, and Extended Answer Questions.

Paper 3

70 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes.

This is a Unified paper, assessing content from all six modules (1-6).

Consists of Short Answer Questions and Extended Answer Questions.

You can find the full course specification at this link:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/chemistry-a-h032-h432-from-2015/.

University Degrees and Careers Completing the A-level in Chemistry opens up an extensive range of career options.

Academic Progression (University Courses):

This qualification provides a strong foundation for degree courses such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, Biochemistry, and Forensic Science.

Career Pathways:

As a vital subject, Chemistry is essential for:

Industry and Manufacturing: Roles in quality control, product development, and materials science.

The Medical Profession: Direct entry or prerequisites for medicine, pharmacology, and veterinary science.

Commerce and Teaching: Positions in technical sales, patent law, or education.

"Dr Singh who helped me significantly with improving my grade, as well as the motivation and the energy she spreads around helping all students with pushing for more success and consistency in their A levels.

 

Beyond just teaching us, Dr Singh manages to have stable relationships with all students where the work environment is professional ,supportive as well as comfortable where students thrive to learn more."

"The enthusiasm Dr Singh conveys for the subject has enhanced my passion. Her patient responses to all my enquiries created a supportive environment that significantly increased my understanding of chemistry and my path toward a career in medicine."

"In chemistry we get to explore different topics and the practicals are always enjoyable and they help to understand the theory."

"Chemistry is a challenging but rewarding subject to learn. It allows you to choose any types of courses in the future because you develop a wide range of skills that you can apply to other subjects. I am very glad I chose Chemistry!"

The department provides access to a range of scientific journals, revision guides, and study aids to help improve your understanding and exam performance. Students have the opportunity to take part in various workshops, Olympiads and practical sessions to gain confidence and apply their knowledge.

The Chemistry department is staffed by a team of experienced teachers, such as Dr. Singh, who are dedicated to helping you succeed. Our teaching approach integrates practical skills with theoretical topics to ensure a deep understanding of chemistry. We use extensive discussions, hands-on practical work, and real-world applications to help you explore different ideas and concepts. We aim to develop confident and accurate use of equipment and techniques for working alone or in groups.

For more information on the course, please contact:

Mr Cernuschi, Head of STEM: cce@stcharles.ac.uk