Chemistry OCR A level

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 23rd March 2026

Entry Requirements: an overall GCSE points score of at least 50 (including grade 4 or higher in both Mathematics and English Language) is required to enrol. You also need to qualify for each of the subjects (minimum 3) you wish to take - a GCSE grade 6 or higher (7 or higher for Mathematics and Music) is required. See our prospectus for full details.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Students study the popular OCR A course. Chemistry A is a content-led approach where practical skills are integrated within the theoretical topics. The specification encourages students to develop an essential knowledge of the key chemical concepts in order to apply it to problem-solving and practical tasks, and to increase their awareness and understanding of the impact of chemistry on the success of the economy and society.

Chemistry is a rewarding and challenging subject. Students are expected to carry out independent consolidation and extension of their understanding between lessons. It is worth knowing that historically, students taking Mathematics alongside Chemistry perform better than those who do not, since there is a significant emphasis on mathematics in the context of chemistry (20% of the marks available within written examinations are for the assessment of mathematics).

The A level course is split into six modules: Module 1 Development of practical skills; Module 2 Foundations in chemistry; Module 3 Periodic table and energy; Module 4 Core organic chemistry. Where modules 1-4 are studied in Year 12, the additional modules 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements and 6: Organic chemistry and analysis are studied in Year 13. The internally assessed Practical Endorsement skills also form part of the full A level. Students are assessed via three written papers: Paper 1 Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry, 37% of the total A level; Paper 2 Synthesis and analytical techniques, 37% of the total A level; Paper 3 Unified chemistry, 26% of the total A level (Practical Endorsement in chemistry is internally assessed).

In addition to their academic studies, students are offered unique opportunities to engage in genuine chemical research. Recently, we have offered the following projects: the Polymer Chemistry Research project (in collaboration with the University of Kent at Canterbury) and the Omega-3 oil Research project. These exclusive opportunities enabled students to develop hugely beneficial transferral skills such as project management, mentoring and advanced data-handling and other in silico skills. In recent years, we have also run a Chemistry Society whilst this year, students have the opportunity to achieve a CREST award by carrying out their own research project.

Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry and 6 in GCSE Maths are required (if you are taking Dual Science, Grade 77 in Science and 6 in Maths)

Please note that applicants must also meet our overall entry requirements of scoring at least a total of 50 points (simply add up all your GCSE grades) and achieving a Grade 4 or higher in both English Language and Mathematics.

The Royal Society of Chemistry state that a qualification in Chemistry opens doors to a wide range of careers. Chemistry is involved in our everyday lives and there is a vast range of jobs and careers open to those who have studied chemistry at any level; great career opportunities exist both inside and outside the lab. Nobody knows what the jobs of the future will look like, but many of them will be created in chemistry to solve global challenges such as human health, energy and the environment.

As well as practical knowledge of the subject, chemistry students develop many other skills prized by employers such as problem solving, numeracy, communication, creativity and data analysis. Gaining these skills means that you can have a future in not only science-related careers but all sorts of careers, from finance to public relations.