Computer Science A Level

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, and grade 5 or above in Maths, plus grade 4 or above in Computer Science (if taken at GCSE).

Computer Science impacts almost all aspects of our modern society. This fantastic course offers versatile and essential skills for life and onward study, research or employment as problem-solving is at its heart. Students study the design, development and analysis of software and hardware used to solve problems in a variety of business, scientific and social contexts. This course will prepare you for a career in a wide range of highly specialised industries from cybersecurity and computer science to games design and special effects.

This is a practical and challenging course designed for those students who enjoy problem-solving, logic and ' hands-on' computer programming. You will be taught in well-equipped IT labs by expert teachers, which means that you'll have the right environment to develop your knowledge and skills. Topics include programming, writing and following algorithms, networks, encryption and cybersecurity, web technologies, e.g. JavaScript, HTML and CSS, databases, Boolean algebra, numbers (including binary and floating-point arithmetic) and computational thinking.

You will be interested in finding out:

• How can we improve cybersecurity in the 21st century?
• Should I be worried about driverless cars or robots?
• How does the computer understand the program I have written?
• How does a computer add or multiply decimal numbers?

80% Exam and 20% Coursework. Coursework involves writing a solution to a problem using visual and object-oriented programming techniques.

This course will prepare you thoroughly for Computer Science courses at university or for higher-level computing apprenticeships. Previous students have gone to university to study: computer science, computer forensics, artificial intelligence and robotics, games programming or related courses such as engineering or motorsport engineering.

Students are encouraged to attend the Villiers Park Inspiring Excellence in Computer Science residential course.

You can apply online via the APPLY button and then add an additional two or three subjects to make up your academic programme. You can also apply for a second, alternative vocational programme of study via a separate application. If after reading this factsheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our open evenings, ring our Admissions Department on 01743 653111, or email admissions@scg.ac.uk