A-Level Chemistry

This information aims to allow you to explore each of the subjects we offer here at CSF. Please use the menu on the left hand side of this page to navigate through the A-Level, BTEC and additional study courses available.

On this subject page you will find links/downloads which support admissions along with curriculum information for our current students.  

• A curriculum overview document for each subject which details the sequence of teaching and learning, along with the development of key skills
• An independent learning guide, to support students in each subject with the demands of homework, revision, and their independent learning.
• Each subject also has links to our ‘Super-curricular’ initiative, which aims to develop you wider understanding of academic subjects and support your learning – click here for more information.

Qualification

Advanced Level Chemistry

OCR

Subject Leader

Dr S Harding

sharding@combertonvc.org

Entry Requirements:

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 5s

 

4 in English and Maths 

 

 

6 in GCSE Chemistry if doing single sciences

 

Or 6,7 in GCSE Double Science

 

6 in GCSE Maths

Why study Chemistry? 

It’s not all white lab coats and mixing chemicals, chemistry has a significant impact on everyday life. It is a creative science, if you can’t dream the question how will you discover the answer?

Chemistry is often referred to as the central science, linking with all the other sciences and underpinning branches of technology. Even if you are not thinking about a career in any of these, the benefit of chemistry studies is endless. You will have: collated and analysed data, written scientific reports, used logical thought processes, applied prior knowledge to solve problems, learnt to pay attention to detail when conducting experiments and observations as well as gaining scientific knowledge of chemistry.

Degree Area	Preferred A-Level Subjects
Chemical Science	Chemistry	Maths	Physics
Medicine & Medical Sciences	Chemistry	Biology	Maths or Physics
Biological Sciences	Biology	Chemistry	Maths
Anatomy and Physiology	Biology	Chemistry or Physics      Maths
Food Sciences	Maths	Physics	Chemistry

What can I do with Chemistry after A-Level?

A-Level Chemistry is a must if you want to study any kind of medicine, chemical sciences, medical sciences and anatomy and physiology. It is also a recommended A-level for food science, and biological sciences and chemical engineering. There are a multitude of careers that you can do with a chemistry background from investor relations managers, publishing, patent attorney and policy advisers to governments.

Chemistry Extras

The Chemistry Department is dedicated to developing the whole individual, not just in terms of academic attainment but also with regard to their interest and enthusiasm for the subject. Students will have opportunities to go on trips to hear Chemists who are at the forefront of new and exciting research, trips to various universities to use degree-level labs, and trips that put the learning in lessons into context of real life (nuclear power station, National Portrait Gallery and work with the ‘Science and Engineering in Arts Heritage and Archaeology’ group). We also run a Chemistry Day involving student presenting their own research projects in similar way to science fairs run by the Nuffield Research Placement and PhD fairs.