Computer Science - A Level

Applications Open: 3 November 2025 at 9.00am

Applications Close: 31 January 2026 at 5.00pm

Entry Requirements: At least five GCSE's at grade 4 or above. In addition, you will need to achieve specific subject entry requirements for all subjects.

How to Apply - September 2026 entry

Applications will open on Applicaa on 3 November 2025. Please refer to our Course Guide which lists subjects available along with entry criteria - this can be found on our website under Sixth Form Admissions along with our Admissions Policy. Please note our Course Guide for 2025 entry is currently displayed, Course Guide for 2026 will be available shortly.

If you need advice on Sixth Form courses or completing an application, please email sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk or phone 01892 527444.

When applying students MUST enter three subject choices PLUS a reserve - in preference order - one being first choice and four being the reserve.
Please do not enter a fifth choice. Please note some subjects cannot be studied together - these are indicated on the relevant subject page and also in the Course Guide.

Internal Applicants to Sixth Form (current St Gregory’s students)

Our current students will join a Sixth Form Taster Day in September 2025, this is an opportunity to experience Sixth Form subjects and lessons.

All students will receive ongoing support and guidance with the online application process through discussions with dedicated members of staff, subject leaders and members of the Sixth Form team. Students will also receive a session with an external Careers Advisor.

External Applicants to Sixth Form

External applicants will be required to submit their applications via Applicaa using the link provided on the school website on 3 November 2026.

External applicants will also need to complete a Sixth Form Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if they are Catholic or 'Looked After' children. This can be found on the school website under Learn/Sixth Form/Sixth Form Admissions - Supplementary Information Form 2025-26. This must be returned to sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk by the closing date.

Prospective students may be invited into school for a meeting with the Sixth Form team.

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

Independent study commitment: Five hours per week minimum.

Paper 1: Computer Systems

• The characteristics of contemporary processors.

• Software and software development.

• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.

• Data types, data structures and algorithms.

Assessment: Written exam of 2 hours 30 minutes. 40% of A Level.

Paper 2: Algorithms and programming

• Elements of computational thinking.

• Problem-solving and programming.

• Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms.

Assessment: Written exam of 2 hours 30 minutes. 40% of A Level.

Non-exam assessment: Programming project

Students will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification. This is an internal assessment with external moderation. 20% of A Level.

GCSE: 6 in Computer Science; 6 in Mathematics and 5 in English preferred but not essential

Why study Computer Science?

Computer Science is a practical subject where students 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.

The course develops organisational and project management skills which are widely valued across many subjects and careers.

Where can it lead?

This qualification is suitable for students intending to pursue any career or higher education course in which an understanding of technology is needed, such as computing or computer science, programming, software design, robotics, networking, gaming, multimedia and systems analysis.

What does it combine well with?

Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics