Exam Board – OCR

Qualification – A Level H446

Entry requirements – 5 x GCSEs at grades 9-4, including a grade 6 (or higher) in maths and a grade 6 in computing. Students who have not studied computing at GCSE will be considered for the course if they can demonstrate that they are competent programmers

Course specification

Computing requires and develops logical thinking, especially when analysing, designing and implementing the practical coursework projects. It is a rapidly developing area that influences all aspects of life. The increasing use of computers in design, particularly for the internet and ecommerce, has created a whole new area where the knowledge gained from this course can be applied.

“It is a really exciting time to be studying computer science. The course has been really challenging but the content has been interesting. I have pushed myself with my learning and I am proud of what I have achieved.”

– Student

Year 1:

  • drawing and interpreting simple state transition diagrams and transition tables
  • programming in a high level programming language
  • the binary number system
  • the stages of development of a hardware/software system
  • logic gates and Boolean algebra
  • the internal components of a computer and hardware devices
  • the fundamentals of computer systems
  • the structure of the internet, networking protocols and the consequences of uses of computing

Year 2:

  • problem solving and algorithmic complexity
  • algorithms and data structures for problem solving
  • programming paradigms and object oriented programming techniques
  • the role of an operating system and database design
  • analysis, design, construction, testing, training and maintenance of a programmed solution

Assessment will be undertaken as follows:

Computer systems – 40% exam
Algorithms and programming – 40% exam
Programming project – 20% coursework

What doors does this open up for me?

In today’s workplace, those with knowledge and skills in computing have the opportunity to pursue new and exciting careers and to be instrumental in the conception of computer systems that increasingly shape work and leisure activities.

Learning journey

Our learning journeys can be used to understand each subject in more detail.

Computer science A level