2023/2024 & 2024/2025

Overview

Computer Science is an intensely creative subject that combines invention and excitement, and can look at the natural world through a digital prism. It is a practical subject that give opportunities to apply the academic principles learnt in the classroom to real-world systems.

You will develop an understanding and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation. You will lean to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so. You will develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically, to see relationships between different aspects of computer science and apply your mathematical skills.

OCR Website

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Requirements for Study

Students should be proficient and confident in Art and Design, have some understanding of practical working, and have a desire to contribute creatively. The following requirements also apply:

Minimum APS:

• 3 A Levels - 4.5
• 2 A Levels & 1 Vocational - 4
• 1 A Level   & 2 Vocational - 3.8

Subject Specific: 

• 9-6 in Computer Science*
• 9-4 in English Language or Literature
• 9-6 in Maths
• be willing to study the subject alongside A Level in Maths and/or other Science subject

* students who didn’t take Computer Science as GCSE can apply, but will be subject to successful outcomes from the interview.

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Assessment

At the end of 2 years there are 2 examinations and a centre assessed project. Each exam is 2 hours 30 minutes long. Question types include both short and long response type, essay style questions, programming and problem solving tasks.

•             Paper 1: Computer Systems 40%
•             Paper 2: Algorithms and Programming 40%
•             NEA: Programming Project 20%

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Careers

Having an A Level in Computer Science could lead to various career possibilities in the technology sector. Below are only some examples:

Software Developer: create, build, and maintain software programs and systems, using many different programming languages and tools to write the code, test and fix errors, and launch a piece of software.

Network Engineer: responsible for designing and maintaining network infrastructure to support the IT needs of an organisation, configuring networks, troubleshooting performance issues, monitoring the network, and implementing security measures like firewalls.

Systems Administrator: responsible for the management, maintenance, and support of the IT infrastructure in a multi-user organisation.

Data Scientist: employing scientific techniques, procedures, algorithms, and systems to extract insights and knowledge from data, blending statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualisation, and their knowledge to interpret complex data.

Database Engineer: manage, test, and implement databases, monitoring changes to databases, troubleshoot performance issues, and ensure capacity and scalability.