A Level Physics

• 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

• 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

• Progressive waves
• Longitudinal and transverse waves
• Formation of stationary waves
• Interference
• Diffraction
• Refraction at a plane surface

• 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

• Basics of electricity
• Current–voltage characteristics
• Resistivity
• Circuits
• Potential divider
• Electromotive force and internal resistance

• Circular motion
• Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
• Simple harmonic systems
• Forced vibrations and resonance
• Thermal energy transfer
• Ideal gases
• Molecular kinetic theory model

• 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

• α, β and γ radiation
• Radioactive decay
• Nuclear instability
• Nuclear radius
• Mass and energy
• Induced fission
• Safety aspects

• 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

You will have two years to complete your A Level Physics course. If you want to fast-track, the course can be completed in under a year.

The only deadlines involved in studying this course are concerning the A Level exam timetables. Please see the exams and assessments section for more information on this.

To achieve your A Level Physics qualification, you must complete the exams. There are three written exams and twelve practical assessments for this course which will cover the topics studied on this course. A breakdown of the exam papers and assessments can be found in the following section.

When you enrol on your course, you will have the option to add your exams and practical assessments to your enrolment, or you can select the course-only option.

Please note: your exams and practical assessments must be completed during the same year.

Choosing to add the exams and practicals packages

If you choose to add your exams and practical assessments to your enrolment, all you need to do is contact us when you are ready to sit your exams and practicals, and we will book and pay for them on your behalf.

Please note that if you book your exams with us, but do not add the practical option to your enrolment, you will be responsible for sourcing a centre and booking your practical assessments directly with the centre.

Please note, our A Level exam centre locations for this course are as follows:

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Doncaster
• Bolton
• Mitcham
• Taunton
• St Neots, Cambridgeshire
• High Wycombe
• Romford

Please note, if you choose to add your practical sessions to your enrolment, you will need to complete both your practicals and written exams at our Birmingham centre.

The course-only option

The A Level exam timetable typically takes place during May and June each year. You are advised to contact us well in advance of when you intend to sit your exams so that we can confirm your place with the exam board – cut-off dates apply.

If you do not add your exams and practicals to your enrolment, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your exams and practical assessments yourself. If you select this option, you must source and liaise with your chosen exam centre in order to book your exams, Open Study College will not be able to book your exams or practicals for you.

This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.

The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:

• Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
• Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Upon successful completion of your exams, you will be awarded an A Level Physics qualification issued by AQA. You will also receive UCAS points relevant to the grade you achieved to support your university application.

Degrees this subject could lead to

The skills and knowledge gained during your A Level Physics studies are ideal for students looking to pursue a degree in engineering, science, computing, geography, and maths.

Future career options

Beyond university, you could consider careers in mechanical, aerodynamic, or civil engineering, energy, and information technology.

The final grade you achieve in your A Level will be translated into UCAS points. Based on your grade, you will be awarded up to 56 points per A Level which can then be added together to reach the UCAS points you need to be accepted by your chosen university.

To help you achieve the best possible grade from home, we recommend that you complete the tutor-marked assessments included in your course materials. These are designed to provide you with detailed feedback to help you fine-tune your technique before you sit your exam. Completing your tutor-marked assessments will also help your tutor to provide you with a predicted grade if this is required for your UCAS application.

To find out more about Open Study College, the A Levels we offer, and how they work, download our A Level prospectus.