Program Overview

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Chemistry A-level

Overview

Chemistry is in everything you taste, smell, touch and see and as our world undergoes rapid changes, we need chemists more than ever. It will help us in the race for new antibiotics, find ways to conserve coral reefs and manufacture environmentally-friendly alternatives to current plastics.

Course Breakdown

To achieve your Chemistry A-level, you must study the following topics:

Physical Chemistry

• Atoms, compounds and molecules
• Periodic table
• Bonding and structure
• Reactions
• Equations

Organic Chemistry

• Alkanes and alkenes
• Alcohols
• Spectrometry
• Aromatic compounds
• Polymers

Inorganic Chemistry

• Periodicity
• Alkaline metals
• Halogens
• Transition elements

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• We ask for a minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 5 or higher, including GCSE English Literature or Language and a grade 6 in GCSE Maths and Chemistry/ Combined Science.

Supporting Documents Required

• School applicants will be required to provide a school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.

Guaranteed Progression

Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.

Key Information

Teaching and Assessment

There is strong emphasis on experiments and developing practical skills with class discussion, independent learning and research. To help you flourish into a confident, independent learner, we develop your thinking and research skills with notetaking and revision strategies embedded into lessons.

You will be assessed through three written examination papers (Summer of Year 2) plus a practical endorsement for chemistry.

Exam papers contain questions that will also test your understanding of experimental work and mathematical skills.

Over the two-year course, you are expected to complete a mandatory set of experiments and you will gain a certificate as evidence of your competency, the Practical Endorsement.

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy.

Enhanced Learning Opportunity - Core Maths

To support and extend your learning experience at the sixth form centre, we are offering students on this particular A-level course the additional opportunity to study Core Maths.

Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)

Core Maths, a one-year course equivalent to an AS-level (half an A-level), is an engaging and diverse course that gives you an excellent preparation for your future. It is about using maths to solve meaningful, real-life problems, as well as developing your data handling and critical analysis skills, equipping you with the essential quantitative skills you need for many careers and degrees.

Career Options

A-level Chemistry is essential for most science degrees, including chemical engineering, pharmacy, pharmacology, medicine, veterinary, dentistry, biochemistry and inorganic chemistry. It is often required for degrees such as biology, geology, marine biology, geography, environmental science, oceanography and forensics.

Chemists work in almost any field you can think of, including pharmaceuticals, food technology, cosmetics, toxicology, manufacturing, petrochemicals, journalism, criminal forensics, teaching and research in academia or industry.

Example Roles and Salaries

• Pharmacist: £48,000
• Journalist: £33,000
• Forensic Scientist: £30,000
• Toxicologist: £36,000
• Dentist: £74,000
• Veterinarian: £63,000

A-levels that Go Well with Chemistry

• Physics A-level
• Maths A-level
• Biology A-level
• Further Maths A-level
• Computer Science A-level

Centre of Opportunities

Our sixth form centre taps into the wider university's networks to enhance student opportunities and gives you access to world-class university facilities.