A-level — Chemistry

COURSE FACTSHEET

A-level grades for university entry

Extended A-level option

A-levels are widely regarded as the ‘Gold

Standard’ qualification for top universities in

Britain, and the rest of the world. This prestigious

course is internationally acknowledged as

evidence of the most demanding and rigorous

intellectual training.

à When students apply for an undergraduate

course, their chosen universities will offer a

place conditional upon them achieving

specified A-level grades. Each A-level is

graded from A – E.

à The entrance requirements each university

sets will be in either A-level grades or as a

UCAS tariff score.

An Extended A-level course is available for students with lower language levels who want to study

A-levels. It develops suitable language proficiency for A-levels, plus academic study skills and subject

enrichment in preparation for the main A-level and can be followed for 7 – 9 terms (including the

6-term main A-level course).

Sample Pathways

University

University

University

University

University

Jan

Jun

e

Ap

ril

Jan

Ap

ril

Sep

t

Ap

ril

Jun

e

Jun

e

Jan

Sep

t

Sep

t

ExA* Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

Vacation

First year A-level

First year A-level

First year A-level

Second year A-level

Second year A-level

Second year A-level

Second year A-levelExA*

Second year A-levelFirst year A-level

First year A-level

Extended A-level

*ExA = Extended A-level

IELTS 4.5

IELTS 5.0

IELTS 4.0

A-level course structure and content

At Kings, there are six components to the A-level course:

1. Main subjects

Depending on each student’s future degree

course and ability, we will agree a personal

study programme, choosing from three to five

subjects.

2. Academic skills development

Students have classes in Academic English.

These will help them to use academic English

effectively in their studies, and support both

their general and subject-specific learning.

3. IELTS preparation

At the same time, they will develop specific

skills to enable them to pass the IELTS exam to

the level required for university entry.

4. Academic Enrichment programme

Students are also exposed to a variety of topics,

including PSHE, Creative Arts and PE, as part of

the Academic Enrichment programme.

5. Examination practice

Students have practice exams every week to

ensure that they learn the disciplines of working

concisely, accurately and to precise time limits.

These also give teachers valuable information

about students’ progress so they can make sure

each lesson is relevant to their exact needs.

6. Examinations

Examination structures for A-level vary by

subject, but all involve a final examination at the

end of year 2. See over for more information.

University Application Programme

All students benefit from the Kings University Application Programme. This provides a carefully

managed and rigorous approach to university research, selection, application and final decision.

Bournemouth

London Oxford

Brighton

Who is this course for?

A-levels are for the most able students who are

seeking places on competitive degree courses

at the most elite universities in the UK or

internationally. A-levels are essential for any

students considering applying to Oxford or

Cambridge University, or to medical school.

Key Facts

Start dates: 9 January 2017 (Oxford, London

and Bournemouth), 11 September 2017 (all

locations)

Locations offered:

Level: Minimum IELTS 5.5 (A-level). Minimum

IELTS 4.0 (Extended A-level) Completed 10

years of schooling.

Length: 2 Academic Years (6 terms),

Extended option 7 – 9 terms

Lessons: Average 20 – 25 hours per week,

plus homework and private study

Minimum age: 16 (A-level), 15 (Extended

A-level)

Class size: 4 – 10

Learning outcomes:

à Gain “Gold Standard” UK national university

entrance qualification

à Raise English to university level

à Develop study skills required at degree level

à Develop specialist subject expertise

COURSE FACTSHEET

A-level Chemistry, often in conjunction with

other science-based subjects, can lead to the

following types of degree course.

à Biomedical Sciences

à Biochemistry

à Chemical Engineering

à Dentistry

à Dietetics

à Earth Sciences

à Environmental Science

à Geology

à Medical Science

à Medicine

à Optometry

à Pharmacy

à Physiotherapy

à Sports Science

à Veterinary Science

Degree progression

Chemistry A-level content overview

Alumni degree courses

Below is a selection of degree courses some of our most recent alumni have gone on to study:

Student name A-level subjects University Course name

Duy Bang Thanh Dao Chemistry/Physics/Maths University of Exeter Management

Thanh Binh Le Chemistry/Physics/Maths University of Aberdeen Medicine

Ngoc Ha Do Chemistry/Maths/Economics Queen Mary, University of London Economics

Ping Hei Cheng Chemistry/Physics/Biology/Maths Queen’s University Belfast Medicine

Zhishung Lin Chemistry/Physics/Maths University of Birmingham Chemistry

Sadam Raziyev Chemistry/Biology/Maths Bristol University Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Zeyu Song Chemistry/Physics/Maths UCL Civil Engineering

Yangcheng Xu Chemistry/Maths/Further Maths/Physics Imperial College London Mechanical Engineering

Yuxi Yao Chemistry/Physics/Maths University of Oxford Engineering

Typical A-level subject combinations with chemistry

à Chemistry, Maths and Physics

à Chemistry, Maths and Biology

à Chemistry, Maths and Economics

One year A-level option

Kings London offers the most able students

a one-year chemistry A-level. There are 8 hours

of lessons per week per subject for three

subjects, plus a tutorial. Minimum IELTS 6.5.

Sample enrichment activities

à The Big Bang fair, NEC Birmingham

à Natural History Museum visit

à Oxford University Science laboratory visit

à Oxford University School of Medicine visit

à The Royal Society, London

à Science Club

à Science in the News Club

à Google Science Fair

Chemistry is the study of all chemical

substances and how they can change. Students

will learn to understand these and see in new

ways the things that make up the world; our

food, fuels and fabrics, building materials and

manufactured goods, the air we breathe, the

tools we use.

Students will learn about atoms and reactions,

bonding and structure, hydrocarbons, polymers

and alcohols, energetics and transition

elements. They’ll use Mathematics to describe

and understand chemical ideas, and will devise

and carry out practical experiments to test the

principles they are learning.

Assessment

As of September 2015, Chemistry students will

complete a one-year standalone AS level

qualification in year 1 of their course. Once they

have completed this, they can progress to a full

A-level. The final A-level exam at the end of year

2 will test students on work covered in the AS

year too.

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