A Level Physics

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - 31st March 2026

Entry Requirements: - Our Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grade 4 and above for the 'A' Level Pathway (in addition to some individual subject entry requirements) and 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 and above for the Vocational (BTEC) Pathway. The course information gives specific details of course content and entry requirements. Please also refer to the Sixth Form Prospectus for the specific entry requirements for the chosen subjects.

Students need to select the equivalent of 3 A Levels or more. (Triple BTEC counts as 3, Double BTEC counts as 2). Subjects are grouped into option blocks, please be aware that not all combinations are possible.

In addition to academic requirements stated above a place will be dependent on the receipt of a satisfactory school reference.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Kent Choices if you area a student from another school.

Please visit our website www.stanselmscanterbury.org.uk for more information.

Physics is an extremely useful subject for the majority of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) careers. You’ll find physicists everywhere, such as in industry, transport, government, universities, the armed forces, the secret service, games companies and research labs. Physics is especially helpful for jobs that involve building things and developing new technologies, including all types of engineering, astronomy, robotics, renewable energies, computer science, communications, space exploration, science writing, sports and games technology, research and nanotechnology. It will help you to build up your problem solving, research, and analytical skills. With these skills you’ll be able to test out new ideas plus question and investigate other people’s theories, which is useful for any kind of job that involves research or debate.

Why study A-Level Physics?

A spokesperson for the Institute of Physics says: “Physicists are involved in finding solutions to many of our most pressing challenges – as well as studying atoms or making sense of the extra-terrestrial, physicists diagnose disease, model the climate, design computer games, predict markets and design hi-tech goods. Studying physics opens doors.”

Moreover, Physics has been named as a “facilitating subject” by the Russell Group of universities. These are the subjects most commonly required or preferred by universities to get on to a range of degree courses. They can help students keep their options open when choosing a degree and many of the top universities will ask you to have at least one A-level in a facilitating subject when you apply.

Module 1: Development of practical skills in Physics

- Practical skills assessed in a written examination
- Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Foundation of Physics

- Physical quantities and units
- Making measurements and analysing data
- Nature of quantities

Module 3: Forces in motion

- Motion
- Forces in action
- Work, energy and power
- Materials
- Newton’s law of motion and momentum

Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons

- Change and current
- Energy, power and resistance
- Electrical circuits
- Waves
- Quantum physics

Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics

- Thermal physics
- Circular motion
- Oscillations
- Gravitational fields
- Astrophysics and cosmology

Module 6: Particles and medical physics

- Capacitors
- Electric fields
- Electromagnetism
- Nuclear and particle physics
- Medical imaging

Paper 1 - Modelling Physics (2 hrs 15 mins, 37%, 100 marks) - Modules 1,2,3,5

Section A: Multiple Choice (15 marks)

Section B: Structured questions, covering theory and practical skills (85 marks)

Paper 2 - Exploring Physics (2 hrs 15 mins, 37%, 100 marks) - Modules 1,2,4,6

Section A: Multiple Choice (15 marks)

Section B: Structured questions, covering theory and practical skills (85 marks)

Paper 3 - Unified Physics (1 hr 30 mins, 26%, 70 marks) - all Modules

Structured questions and extended response covering theory and practical skills

Non-exam assessment - Practical endorsement for Physics - reported separately

Five GCSEs at Grade 4 and above including Grade 5 or above in GCSE Physics Higher Paper or Grade 5,5 in Combined Science Higher Paper at GCSE. Maths at Grade 5.* Students taking more than one Maths or Science subject will require five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Mathematics.

Medical imaging, astronomy, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, radiography.