Computer Science

Computer Science Summary

A-level Computer Science is a practical subject where students can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real-world systems. It is a course which is highly relevant to the modern and changing world of Computing. The course values computational thinking, helping learners to develop skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. 

The course aims to provide students with an understanding and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science including: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation. Students will analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience including writing programs to do so.  

There is a strong emphasis on solving problems using computers, and programming and algorithms, with less of an emphasis on IT. 

Entry Requirements

• 5 x grade 5 or above (including GCSE Maths and English Language)
• Grade 6 in GCSE Computer Science

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

OCR

How you will study

Students are assessed on Computer Systems and Algorithms and Programming. Computer Systems covers a range of topics from: contemporary processors, input, output & storage, software & software development, exchanging data, data types & data structures, legal, moral, cultural & ethical issues. Algorithms and Programming covers: computational thinking, problem solving & programming, algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms. The programming project allows students to choose a computing problem of their own to work through and can be completed in the programming language of their choice. 

Component breakdown

The course consists of two terminal Exams (40% each) and a Programming Project (20%).

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