1Course Overview
A Level Physics
Course code: OSC1291
- Official AQA Physics A Level
- Full Course Materials
- Full Tutor Support
- Study at your own pace
- Exam fees not included - to include exams see our A Level Physics inc Exams
Study A Level Physics from home - your route to academic success!
This new A Level course has been updated to meet the latest academic specifications, so you can feel confident you are studying the most up-to-date academic content.
On this course, you will be able to:
- Gain up to 56 UCAS points to help you land your dream place at University
- Study at your own time and pace with no strict deadlines to contend with
- Develop both the theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject
- Carry out experimental and investigative activities in a range of contexts
Studying A Levels with us lets you choose when you take your exams, so that you are always fully prepared. A convenient and stress-free way to study that fits around your existing commitments. You will be responsible for booking your exams.
Simply receive your course materials online and start studying to gain that all-important A Level!
2Course Content
AQA Specification Code 7408
Topic 1: Measurements and their errors
- Fundamental (base) units
- mass, length, time, quantity of matter, 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
- Formation of stationary 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
- α, β and γ 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-Russell (HR) diagram
- Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes
- Doppler effect
- Hubble's law
- Quasars
- Detection of exoplanets
3Other Information
Exams and Assessment
To achieve the full Physics A Level you must take the exams and practical assessments. These will be assessed across the nine topics and 12 practical assessments. All units will be assessed by three paper-based exams. A more detailed breakdown of the exam details is provided below:
- Paper 1:
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 2 hours
- Weighing: 34% of A Level
- Total Marks: 85
- Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions and multiple choice questions
- Paper 2:
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 2 hours
- Weighing: 34% of A Level
- Total Marks: 85
- Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions and multiple choice questions
- Paper 3:
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 2 hours
- Weighing: 32% of A Level
- Total Marks: 80
- Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions
Practical Assessment
To receive the full Physics A Level, you must take the A Level exams and undergo a practical assessment of 12 practical skills.
To include exams, see our A Level Physics inc Exams
To include exams and practical assessments, see our A Level Physics inc Exams and Practical
Course Duration
You will have 2 years to complete the full A Level from the date you receive your materials. You will be able to study at your own pace and in your own time without the pressure of tight deadlines.
Study Method
This course enables you to study for an A Level in Physics by distance learning at home or at work. Your course materials will be sent via email. Full tutor support will be available via email, so help is only a click away! Your course will include self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked study questions, so you can monitor your progress.
Course Outcomes
Once you have successfully completed the exams you will receive the AQA accredited A Level in Physics.These subject-based qualifications that can lead to university, further study, training, or work.
It is possible for students to receive an A Level Physics qualification without completing the practical assessment, although your certificate will state you have not done so and it may seriously harm your chances of securing a place at university or getting a job. On your written exams 15% of marks rely on having some knowledge of these practical skills. Therefore we strongly advise you to take your practical assessments and written exams.
4Q&As
Course Questions & Answers
Is this the same qualification as an A Level from a school or college?
Yes! You study the same coursework, take the same examinations and get the same qualification. The only difference is that the course is designed to be studied from home, and you receive full tutor support via email.
What skills are needed to enrol onto this course?
It is recommended that you have a GCSE in Physics or a related science subject at grade C or above. You are also required to have a grade C or above in the higher tier Mathematics GCSE as up to 10% of the marks awarded in this course will be related to mathematical principles.
What is included in the cost of my course?
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated student support
- Assignment marking and feedback
- FREE CV writing service
- FREE NUS Extra card
- *Comprehensive student guide
- *Exclusive Open Study College pen with highlighter
- *Student study planner
- *Student notebook
* Not included with the online study option
Is there a required reading list?
There is no required reading for this A Level. However you will need to conduct your own research using the internet.
Do I have to sit an exam?
Yes, you will need to take the standard A Level examinations and practical assessments in order to fully complete this course. Written examinations and practical elements can be undertaken at an external examination centre. It is the student’s responsibility to contact exam centres to book and pay for these examinations.
Students will also need to find a centre for the practical elements of this course. We have an arrangements with centres in Birmingham and Bristol which will allow students to take practical and theoretical exams, but you may wish to find a local centre of your own choice. Students will need to contact their chosen centre directly to arrange these assessments. You can find further information on the Birmingham centre here and the Bristol centre here.
Are there any additional costs?
For this particular course, examination centres charge a substantial fee to take your exams and practical assessments, which is why we thoroughly recommend you conduct further research into this before enrolling.
You may also wish to purchase textbooks to supplement the course, but this is entirely optional.
What if I live outside the UK?
You are still able to study this A Level course. You will, however, be required to take the examinations within the UK, as this is the only reliable way to access examination centres.
What happens if I lose my course pack?
We offer a course replacement service which ensures that, if your course pack is lost or damaged throughout the duration of your studies, we can issue you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee. This is available by calling our Student Support team on 03300 563100.
What do i do if i still have questions?
For further information please contact us.
