Chemistry A Level

Applications Open: - 5th November 2025

Applications Close: - 5th January 2026

Entry Requirements: - Our entry requirements are subject specific, please look through our website for more information. Specific information can be found under Sixth Form and in Choosing courses. Details are here

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

The specification has been rearranged into the traditional three branches of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.

Physical Chemistry includes atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle leading on to rate equations, equilibrium constant for homogeneous systems, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic chemistry will cover periodicity, group 2 and group 7 elements, group 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solutions.

In organic chemistry students will study alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis and analysis.

Students will also study analytical techniques of infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography.

Skills acquired:

• Planning and designing of experiments
• Manipulation of apparatus
• Observation and recording
• Interpretation of experimental results
• Problem Solving
• Logical Thinking

Paper 1:

Inorganic chemistry with relevant physical chemistry
Relevant practical skills
Written exam: 2 hours, 105 marks (a mixture of short and long answer questions), 35% of A level

Paper 2:

Organic chemistry with relevant physical chemistry
Relevant practical skills
Written exam: 2 hours, 105 marks (a mixture of short and long answer questions), 35% of A level

Paper 3:

All practical skills
All content
Written exam: 2hours, 90 marks - 40 marks on practical techniques and data analysis, 20 marks on testing across the specification and 30 marks on multiple choice questions

Overall, at least 20% of the marks in assessments for chemistry will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of chemistry A-level and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE mathematics. Skills include arithmetic and numerical computation, handling data, algebra, graphs, geometry and trigonometry.

- APS 5.5+

- At least 6+ in at least 2 sciences at GCSE, including those to be studied at A level

If you select Chemistry, you must also study at least one subject from: Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Psychology. You must study Chemistry if you wish to study medicine at university.

- Follow a degree course in Chemistry, Materials Science, Forensic Science, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy.
- Follow a more vocational course in Applied Chemistry, Sports Studies, Horticulture and Beauty Therapy.
- Gain employment in Pharmacy, Analytical Laboratories.