A Level Physics

About This Course

Imagine having the freedom to study at your own time and pace, without the restrictions of attending college or fitting classes around your current work commitments? Our A Level Physics course is designed exclusively for distance learning, enabling you to study the subject you love all from the comfort of your own home.

• We will pay for £45 towards your exam costs

This impressive course includes everything you’d expect of its college equivalent – the same course materials, examinations and investigative/experimental activities – but instead offers you the flexibility to mould it around your lifestyle and even gives you the opportunity to choose when you want to take your exams.

No deadlines. No pressure. From the moment you enrol you’ll have up to 2 years to complete this course – however you can study as fast or as slow as you want.

More importantly you can enrol safe in the knowledge that this course has been updated to meet the latest academic specifications and content, meaning the course you’ll receive will be of the highest calibre.

From developing your theoretical and practical knowledge of kinetic theory, particles, progressive waves and harmonic systems, to getting to grips with astrophysics, nuclear physics and radiation; this course may be designed for home use, however you will still be able to engage with investigative activities.

Course Benefits

Comprised of 9 topics, each topic aims to enlighten your knowledge of different elements of physics, whilst bringing into context their role within the world we live in.

By broadening your understanding, you will be able to apply these theories to the environment around you and gain valuable skills that can aid you in a number of careers roles.

From engineering and astrology, to simply becoming a teacher… the skills you’ll acquire on this course are certain to create a strong foundation for future study.

With this course you will:

• Earn up to 56 UCAS points which can be used for university applications.
• Be able to study when, where and how you want with no set deadlines.
• Have the freedom to choose when you take your exams – ensuring you are always ready.
• Be able to develop your theoretical and practical knowledge of physics and be able to apply this knowledge in experimental and investigative activities.

A Level Physics UCAS Points

• A* Grade – 56 UCAS points
• A Grade – 48 UCAS points
• B Grade – 40 UCAS points
• C Grade – 32 UCAS points
• D Grade – 24 UCAS points
• E Grade – 16 UCAS points

Course Units

Qualification Title: A Level Physics

Qualification Number: 601/4747/7

UCAS Points: Up to 56

Topic 1: Measurements and their Errors

• Fundamental (base) Units
• Mass, Length, Time, Quantity of Matter, and Temperature
• Electric Current
• SI Units
• SI Prefixes, Values and Standard
• Light Intensity
• Prefixes
• Unit Converting
• Random and Systematic Errors
• Uncertainty
• Graph Using Error Bars
• Gradient Uncertainties
• Straight-line Graph
• Magnitude
• Values of Physical Quantities

Topic 2: Particles and Radiation

• Constituents of the Atom
• Stable and Unstable Nuclei
• Particles, Antiparticles, and Photons
• Particle Interactions
• Classification of Particles
• Quarks and Antiquarks
• Applications of Conservation Laws
• The Photoelectric Effect
• Collisions of Electrons with Atoms
• Energy Levels and Photon Emission
• Wave-particle Duality

Topic 3: Waves

• Progressive Waves
• Longitudinal and Transverse Waves
• Interference
• Diffraction
• Refraction at a Plane Surface

Topic 4: Mechanics and Materials

• Scalars and Vectors
• Moments
• Motion along a Straight Line
• Projectile Motion
• Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Momentum
• Work, Energy and Power
• Conservation of Energy
• Bulk Properties of Solids
• The Young Modulus

Topic 5: Electricity

• Basics of Electricity
• Current-voltage Characteristics
• Resistivity
• Circuits
• Potential Divider
• Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance

Topic 6: Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

• Circular Motion
• Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
• Simple Harmonic Systems
• Forced Vibrations and Resonance
• Thermal Energy Transfer
• Ideal Gases
• Molecular Kinetic Theory Model

Topic 7: Fields and their Consequences

• Fields
• Newton’s Law
• Gravitational Field Strength
• Gravitational Potential
• Orbits of Planets and Satellites
• Electric Fields
• Electric Field Strength
• Electric Potential
• Capacitance
• Parallel Plate Capacitor
• Energy stored by a Capacitor
• Capacitor Charge and Discharge
• Magnetic Flux Density
• Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field
• Magnetic Flux and Flux Linkage
• Electromagnetic Induction
• Alternating Currents
• The Operation of a Transformer

Topic 8: Nuclear Physics Rutherford Scattering

•  a, β and y Radiation
• Radioactive Decay
• Nuclear Instability
• Nuclear Radius
• Mass and Energy
• Induced Fission
• Safety Aspects.

Topic 9: Astrophysics

• Astronomical Telescope consisting of two Converging Lenses
• Reflecting Telescopes
• Single Dish Radio Telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray Telescopes
• Advantages of Large Diameter Telescopes
• Classification by Luminosity
• Absolute Magnitude, M
• Classification by Temperature, Black-body Radiation
• Principles of the use of Stellar Spectral Classes
• The Hertzsprung-Russel (HR) Diagram
• Supernovae, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes
• Doppler Effect
• Hubble’s Law
• Quasars
• Detection of Exoplanets

Assessment

To earn this A Level qualification you will first complete the assessments included in your course materials.  These will be marked by your dedicated tutor and will prepare you for your exam.

You are required to complete three standard written exams:

• Paper 1: 2 hour written exam, 34% of total marks – May/June 2025
• Paper 2: 2 hour written exam, 34% of total marks – May/June 2025
• Paper 3: 2 hour written exam, 32% of total marks – May/June 2025
• Practical (non-exam): Submission date TBA

(all dates are subject to change)

There is a separate fee for the examinations, which are paid directly to the exam centre at time of booking. We’ll help you book your exams when you are ready (we advise to book well in advance to guarantee your place).

Please note: the dates shown above are the next available exam slots only (exams take place every year).

While practical assessments are not mandatory and do not count towards your final grade, there are questions in paper three which refer to practical techniques. Also, if you are planning to progress to a science related degree then many universities will only accept students who have completed the practicals.

Should you choose to complete the practical element, you will need to be able to attend four practical days at one of the following science labs:

• Bolton School Science Lab (BL1 4PA)
• Harrow Science Lab (HA1 3HP)
• King Henry VIII Coventry (CV3 6AQ)
• South Bank UTC Science Lab (SW2 1QS)

Required Knowledge

You are required to have GCSE C or above in Mathematics as 10% of your marks will be based on handling Mathematical problems.

Awarding Body

Upon completion of your studies and exams, you will receive an A Level in Physics issued by the AQA. It is possible to earn this qualification without completing the practical assessment, however it will be noted on your certificate that you did not complete it.

This could harm your chances of securing a university spot or job, so we recommend finishing the entire course. It is also important to note that 15% of the marks on your exams will rely on knowledge of your practical skills.

Support

We believe in providing our students with unlimited support, so alongside our comprehensive study guide and course materials – which are designed to test and broaden your skills – you will also have the support of our personal tutors and student support team.

They’ll always be on hand to supply you with guidance, instruction and advice. Similarly, the self-assessment exercises and tutor study marked questions (supplied in the course materials) can be used by our tutors to provide you with invaluable feedback as they track your progress. From start to finish you will never be alone in your studies.