Chemistry A Level OCR

Applications Open – 3rd November 2025

Applications Close – 31st July 2026

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The sixth form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Please apply via Kent Choices.

View our courses here

Chemistry may seem a very complicated subject, but the ideas and complexities are actually built on a set of fundamental underlying patterns. Once you have developed a careful understanding of these it becomes accessible and enjoyable to study. Our aim is always to help learners to understand these key principles. They can then enjoy the logic that underpins the subject, and use it to explore and make sense for themselves the many factual details and experimental observations.

Benefits

Careers in any form of medicine, including doctor or veterinarian, require chemistry A Level. Having an A level in chemistry is a very desirable trait and is a highly respected qualification to have in academic circles.

Module 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination

• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry

• Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations •

• Amount of substance

• Acid–base and redox reactions

• Electrons, bonding and structure

Module 3: Periodic table and energy

• The periodic table and periodicity •

• Group 2 and the halogens •

• Qualitative analysis •

• Enthalpy changes •

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Module 4: Core organic chemistry

• Basic concepts

• Hydrocarbons

• Alcohols and haloalkanes

• Organic synthesis

• Analytical techniques (IR and MS)

Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)

• pH and buffers

• Enthalpy, entropy and free energy

• Redox and electrode potentials

• Transition elements

and Module 6: Organic chemistry and analysis

• Aromatic compounds

• Carbonyl compounds

• Carboxylic acids and esters

• Nitrogen compounds

• Polymers

• Organic synthesis

• Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)

A separate, non-exam practical endorsement assesses practical skills with a pass/fail outcome, but a pass is required for university science course.

Examinations:

Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (01) 100 marks 2 hours 15 minutes written paper

Synthesis and analytical techniques (02) 100 marks 2 hours 15 minutes written paper

Unified chemistry (03) 70 marks 1 hour 30 minutes written paper

Practical Endorsement in chemistry (04) (non-exam assessment)

We would recommend a grade 7,7 at GCSE combined science or chemistry grade 7 and a grade 6 GCSE in mathematics.

Students will need to also study either Core maths or A level maths if choosing A level Chemistry.

The study of chemistry provides an entry into many career routes, not just in chemistry itself.

In addition to chemistry and chemical engineering, medicine, veterinary science, biological sciences, environmental sciences, geological sciences and forensic science all use chemistry.

Materials science is an important component of most engineering courses. At university level, applied chemistry courses such as polymer science and textiles are becoming increasingly popular.