A Level Computer Science

What does this qualification cover?

By studying  A Level Computer Science as part of your programme of study, you will develop an understanding of, and the ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation. You will also learn to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs in the programming language Python.  

You will also learn how programming links to professional work practice, and you will be required to thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically when completing the non-exam assessment (NEA) coursework element.  

What’s included?

Fundamentals of programming, data structures and problem solving (Paper 1) 

This component will develop your understanding of computational thinking and the benefits of applying computational thinking to solve a wide variety of real-world computing problems. You will also be using algorithms to explain and solve problems in addition to developing Python coding skills. 

Data representation, computer systems, networking and databases (Paper 2) 

This component will introduce you to the internal workings of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the exchange of data and will also look at software development, data types, networking, databases and legal and ethical issues. You will use this underpinning content when studying computational thinking, developing programming techniques and when you develop your own programming approach in the coursework NEA component.  

Coursework (NEA – non-exam assessment) 

You will be expected to research and analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable programming language which meets a client need. The underlying approach to the project is to apply the principles of computational thinking, problem solving and project management to a practical coding problem. 

Key Features

Students completing AQA A Level Computer Science will be equipped with and prepared for the logical and computational skills necessary to succeed at a tertiary education level, in the workplace or beyond. 

Links to workplace