A Level Physics
Study A Level Physics from the comfort of your own home and choose when to take your exams. A convenient and stress-free way to study that fits around your existing commitments.
- Gain up to 56 UCAS points to help you land your dream place at University
- Official AQA Physics A Level
- Develop both the theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject
- Learn the necessary practical skills to apply Physics in further education
- Carry out experimental and investigative activities in a range of contexts
- Study at your own time and pace with no strict deadlines to contend with
- Exam and practical fees included - we'll book your exams and practical assessment for you when you're ready!
As well as your A Level course materials and tutor support, this course can include the examination fees and practical assessment needed to successfully gain your A Level Physics qualification and those all-important UCAS points.
Simply receive your course materials online or by post and start studying to gain that all-important A Level. If you add on your exams, when you are ready, we will book the exams for you so you can focus on your studies.
This course can be completed without taking the A Level exam and practical assessment.
Course Duration
Up to 2 years
Course Outcome
A Level in Physics (you must take the A Level exams to achieve this).
Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.
Assessment
3 paper-based exams.
AQA Specification Code 7408
- 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
- 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
Assessment
To achieve the full Physics A Level you will be assessed across the nine topics and 12 practical assessments. All units will be assessed by three paper-based examinations. A more detailed breakdown of the assessment details is provided below.
Practical Assessment
4 x practical sessions – these run at certain times of the year and must be attended prior to sitting your examinations and must be attended in the same year as your examination.
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. Your only deadlines are the A Level examinations, which take place at certain times during the year.
If you add on the exams, the examinations for this course will be taken at a centre in Birmingham; we will book these for you when you feel you are ready. Additional exam centres in various locations will soon become available.
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 Outcome
Once you have successfully completed the examinations you will receive the AQA accredited A Level in Physics. These subject-based qualifications that can lead to university, further study, training, or work.
Thinking of Going to University?
Open Study College are proud to partner with QA Higher Education, providing students with the unique opportunity to progress into higher education. This partnership aims to support our students in finding and securing a university place at one of QA Higher Education’s conveniently located teaching centres across the UK.
Exam details
- 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
- 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
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 2 hours
- Weighing: 32% of A Level
- Total Marks: 80
- Assessment format: A mixture of short and long answer questions
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.
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.
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated student support
- Assignment marking and feedback
- FREE CV writing service
- FREE employability guide to help you impress future employers
- FREE TOTUM student discount card (formerly NUS Extra card)
- Practical assessments
- *Comprehensive study guide
- *Open Study College study pack
* Not included with the online study option
There is no required reading for this A Level, however you will need to conduct your own research using the internet.
Yes, you will need to take the standard A Level examinations in order to fully complete this course. If you add these on, we will book these exams for you. Please note, if you add these on the package, you will need to sit these exams in the Birmingham examination centre.
Students will also need to attend the practical elements of this course in Birmingham in the same educational year as the examinations; we will also book these practical assessments for you.
No, all costs are included within the price! If you don’t add on the exams, you will need to book and pay for these separately. You may want to purchase textbooks to supplement your course, but this is entirely optional.
You are still able to study this A Level course but must take the examinations within the UK as this is the only guaranteed way to access examination centres.
It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Student Support Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.
That's not a problem. We want to make sure you’re 100% confident about enrolling on the course and starting your study. So, just give our Student Adviser Team a call on 03300 563 100 and they’ll do their best to help.
If you are interested in Science and you’re looking for a more flexible approach to learning that fits around your life - this is the ideal course for you. Enrol online today by clicking below or speak to one of our advisers for more information.
Enrol on this course