Physics A Level AQA

Our Sixth Form Open Evening will take place on Thursday 19th November. As this is always a very popular event, we run three separate booking slots throughout the evening to help us accommodate as many families as possible and ensure everyone has the opportunity to visit.

Booking is now live! Please follow this link to book your tickets before they're all gone: https://www.ticketsource.com/the-canterbury-academy-open-events/e-mgrrozg

We look forward to welcoming you and giving you the opportunity to find out more about our Sixth Form, meet our staff and students explore the fantastic opportunities available to our students.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Applications Open – 2nd November 2026

Applications Close – 30th June 2027

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The Sixth Form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Applications are currently closed. Please check back at the beginning of November to submit your application.

Physicists explore the fundamental nature of almost everything we know. They probe the furthest reaches of the earth to study the smallest pieces of matter. Join them to enter a world deep beneath the surface of normal human experience.

In the first year of A Level, students cover the following topics: measurements and their errors; particles and radiation; waves; mechanics and energy; and electricity.

In the second year of A Level, students continue with: further mechanics and thermal physics; fields; nuclear physics; plus the optional unit medical physics.

We would recommend a grade 7,7 at GCSE combined science or a 7 in physics and a grade 6 in mathematics.

Students will need to also study either core maths or A level maths if choosing A level Physics.

Studying A Level physics offers an infinite number of amazing career opportunities including:

• Geophysicist/field seismologist

• Healthcare scientist, medical physics

• Higher education lecturer

• Radiation protection practitioner

• Research scientist (physical sciences)

• Scientific laboratory technician

• Secondary school teacher

• Meteorologist

• Structural engineer

• Acoustic engineer

• Product/process development scientist

• Systems developer

• Technical author

You can also move into engineering, astrophysics, chemical physics, nanotechnology, renewable energy and more: the opportunities are endless.