Computer Science

Applications Open: 5th December 2025

Applications Close: 31st January 2026

Entry Requirements: 5 GCSE grades of 4 or above of which must include English & Maths. Then individual subject criteria

Science and Maths - require level 7 in subject to study (plus 6 in maths for science subjects)

Most other courses require level 6 to study

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

The aims of this course are to enable you to develop:

an understanding of, and ability to apply, the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation.

the ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so.

the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.

the capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science mathematical skills.

the ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology.

Opportunities to hear from external speakers from the CS industry, ex-students studying a degree course in Computer Science and trips primarily Disneyland Paris in term 3 of Year 12.

Assessment is through external examination (80%) and internal assessment (20%).

Students will need to have at least a grade 6 in GCSE Computer Science and/or at least a grade 6 in GCSE Maths. A Grade 6 in either English Language or Literature will also be considered.

A Level Computer Science provides a strong base for progression to university, apprenticeships or employment.