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Computer Science

Waterfront UTC

South Side Three Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4FQ

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Information and Communication Technology

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Waterfront UTC

2 Not Set

Full time

Application Instructions

Applications Open: 9th October 2025

How to Apply:

Internal students - Apply via Applicaa using this link - https://waterfront.applicaa.com/year12-20262027

External students - Apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - after sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

Course Summary

Computer Science is a practical subject where learners can apply the academic principles learned in the classroom to real world systems.

It is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital prism. OCR’s A Level in Computer Science will value computational thinking, helping learners to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.

Learners will develop an ability to analyse, critically evaluate and make decisions. The project approach is a vital component of ‘post-school’ life and is of particular relevance to Further Education, Higher Education and the workplace. Each learner is able to tailor their project to fit their individual needs, choices and aspirations. OCR offers a rigorous assessment structure that ensures the integrity of the project.

Course Details

The content of this A Level in Computer Science is divided into three components:

• Computer systems component (01) contains the majority of the content of the specification and is assessed in a written paper recalling knowledge and understanding.

• Algorithms and programming component (02) relates principally to problem solving skills needed by learners to apply the knowledge and understanding encountered in Component 01.

• Programming project component (03 or 04) is a practical portfolio based assessment with a task that is chosen by the teacher or learner and is produced in an appropriate programming language of the learner’s or teacher’s choice.

Mathematical skills are embedded throughout the content of the three components. They will be assessed in the written papers and through the non examined assessment where appropriate. The quality of extended responses are assessed in the written papers where indicated by an asterisk. It is marked using levels of response style mark schemes and in the Evaluation section of the Programming project component.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

The A Level in Computer Science is a linear qualification with 100% terminal external assessment.

This qualification consists of two examined components (01 and 02), externally assessed by OCR and one internally assessed and moderated non exam assessment component (03 or 04).

Both examinations are of 2 hours and 30 minutes duration, each with a 40% weighting. The non-exam assessment component weighted at 20%

Computer systems (Component 01)

Learners answer all the questions. There will be a mix of questions including short answer, longer answer and some higher tariff questions that will test the quality of extended responses. Marks for these responses are integrated into the marking criteria.

The whole of the Computer systems content will be covered over the life of the specification. Questions may contain, for example, following and correcting algorithms and programs, software development and legal and moral issues.

Algorithms and programming (Component 02)

Learners answer all the questions in Section A and all questions in Section B. There will be a mix of questions including short answer, longer answer and some higher tariff questions that will test the quality of written responses via a level of response mark scheme.

The whole of the Algorithms and programming content will be covered over the life of the specification. Section A will contain questions which may cover writing algorithms and computational methods, programming and programming techniques and problem solving. These questions may contain some shorter answer questions.

Section B will have a scenario set at the start of the section; this will contain information that will be used for the questions that follow. The questions will be largely of a higher tariff with problem solving algorithms and programming again forming the basis.

Programming project (Component 03 or 04)

The programming project will be submitted in the form of a report that will contain the solution to a problem, selected by the learner or centre, written in a suitable programming language.

Entry requirements

x5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 - including Mathematics and English and a minimum of a Grade 5 in Computer Science

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