Chemistry

This course teaches scientific principles in a content-led, flexible way where the specification is divided into topics, each covering different key concepts of chemistry.

Fact file

  • GCSEs to include a minimum Grade 6 in either Combined Science or Chemistry, a Grade 6 in Mathematics and a Grade 5 in English

  • Minimum Average GCSE Score required for this course: 5.5

  • Required for university medical science courses and well regarded for any scientific or engineering-based course.

Course Summary

Teaching of practical skills is integrated with the theoretical topics and they’re assessed both through written papers and, for A Level only, the practical endorsement.

In order to understand these principles, we first cover the foundation knowledge you need to underpin your exploration of the subject. With the basics of atomic structure, moles, bonding and periodicity in place, we go on to examine energetics, explain why reactions happen and explore organic synthesis.

The practical endorsement requires you to complete a minimum of 12 assessed practicals over two years in which you must keep appropriate records of your assessed experiments. You will be graded as either Pass or Fail. This will provide a portfolio of evidence to universities showing how you apply investigative approaches and methods to practical work, follow written instructions, make and record observations/measurements and use appropriate techniques to process data, carry out research and report findings.