On successful completion of your A Levels you could progress to university to study a range of chemistry related degree subjects. These subjects can open doors to a range of exciting career options including: Analytical Chemist Chemical Engineer Clinical Biochemist Pharmacologist Doctor Toxicologist Environmental Consultant Science Writer Secondary School Teacher
A Levels
A-Level Chemistry
- Course Type: A Level
What can this course lead to?
Who is it for?
This course is for students who want to gain an understanding of underlying chemical concepts through practical techniques and calculations that develop your analysis and practical scientific skills. Not only does chemistry help us to make sense of the world around us, but chemistry also touches upon the main social, ethical and cultural issues affecting our lives today. Chemistry helps us to understand and enables us to make life better and more interesting. From a knowledge of chemistry, we can prevent and cure disease, develop new materials and explore space.
What is covered?
You will study the following units:
- Atomic Structure
- Bonding
- Energetics and Kinetics
- Chemical Equilibria
- Thermodynamics
- Alkanes and Halogenalkanes
- Alcohols
- Organic Analysis
- Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells
- Biochemistry and Spectroscopy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
5 GCSEs at grade 5/C or above including English and maths plus 6/B or above in maths and 66 BB in combined science or Grade 6/B in maths and biology plus 6/B in either Chemistry or Physics.
You will study 12 core practical units involving inorganic and organic chemistry including: period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solutions. Organic chemistry practicals include: optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids and proteins, DNA, organic synthesis and chromatography.
It is recommended that you consider taking Mathematics to help you with your studies in A Level Chemistry. You will be expected to attend maths for scientists sessions once per week if you do not take maths.
You will study 3 A Level subjects, plus tutorial and career development sessions. Each subject has 6 hours per week contact time, with approximately 4 hours of independent study.
Unfortunately we cannot accept students who only want to study a single A Level subject due to funding limitations.
During the two years of study, you will be regularly assessed under test conditions to practise being able to understand and respond to the questions asked in the correct time allocation so that you are fully prepared for the final exams. The awarding body is AQA.
There is an assessment calendar for A levels which includes timed assessment every 4 to 5 weeks. Feedback gained from these assessments will help you to develop your skills, target your revision and where necessary enable us to provide additional support. In addition, you will be required to undertake a minimum of 12 assessed practicals and write up all supporting information in a lab book.
A lab coat and safety glasses are required for this course, these can be purchased from the college and will cost approximately £15 or you can use the ones we have. You will also need a scientific calculator.
Please see our student support webpage https://www.stamford.ac.uk/college-life/support-services to see if we can help you with the purchase of these necessary pieces of equipment.
We offer an online interview which will explain the A Level programme and also allow for an informal chat with the tutor for each subject before an offer to study with us can be made to you. We will review each application on a case-by-case basis to ensure you get a place on the course most suitable for you.
Start date: 01/09/2025
Course Code
SAL3AL5AF-CH
Duration
2 Years
Full-time courses are fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds. For age 19+, various funding options are available.
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