Physics A Level

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - To be confirmed

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4 - Some requirements vary slightly dependent on course.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Applica here

About the Course

Board: Pearson

Physics is a challenging but very interesting course for those students who love Science and want to explore it to a much higher level.

In summary, Physics is the study of how everything works. It has close links with Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology

The Physics course is very practical with lots of opportunities to carry out experiments and investigations. You will also learn to work as part of a team.

Units of Study

Advanced Subsidiary (one year course)

Unit 1:

· Mechanics – mathematics of motion, vectors, projectiles, forces, Newton’s Laws of motion, emery, power and efficiency

· Electric Circuits – current, charge, potential difference, resistance, solving circuit problems, resistivity, power, potential dividers, electromotive force and current flow in microscopic terms

Unit 2:

· Materials – density, upthrust, Hooke’s Law, stress, strain, Young Modulus and strain energy.

· Waves and particle nature of light – wave definitions, interference, standing waves, diffraction, refractive index, critical angle, lenses, polarisation, pulse-echo techniques, photoelectric effect, Einstein’s equation, atomic line spectra.

Advanced Level (two year course)

In addition to the topics above the following are also studied in the second year of the course.

Unit 1:

· Further Mechanics

· Electric and Magnetic Fields

· Nuclear and Particle Physics

· Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes consisting of 90 marks (30%).

Unit 2:

· Thermodynamics

· Space

· Nuclear Radiation

· Gravitational Fields

· Oscillations

Units of Study

Advanced Subsidiary

Unit 1:

Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes consisting of 80 marks (50%).

Unit 2:

Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes consisting of 80 marks (50%).

Advanced Level

Unit 1:

Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes consisting of 90 marks (30%).

Unit 2:

Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes consisting of 90 marks (30%).

In addition, students will sit a third assessment lasting 2 hours 30 minutes consisting of 120 marks (40%). This paper will ask questions from the entire specification.

Students should have achieved at least two grades of 6 or above in Combined or Triple Science Questions in the examinations will require Maths to at least a GCSE Grade 6 standard.

It is excellent preparation for anyone looking for a career in Science or Engineering. However, the skills acquired in studying Physics are also useful in a much wider range of careers.

Physics Advanced Level is highly respected by both universities and employers.