PHYSICS A LEVEL & AS LEVEL COURSES

“Each year around 95% of our A level cohort go on to higher education”

Physics

Physics is a fascinating and engaging subject with very close links to Mathematics. The study of Physics starts from the smallest length scales, including particles of matter (e.g. particle physics and quantum mechanics), reaching out to the largest scales encompassing the entire physical universe (i.e. cosmology). Our students develop excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as an appreciation of how the physical universe works.

Course outline

Modules

Module 1

Development of practical skills in physics

Practical skills assessed in a written examination
Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2

Foundations of physics

Physical quantities and units
Making measurements and analysing data
Nature of quantities

Module 3

Forces and motion

Motion
Forces in action
Work, energy and power
Materials
Newton’s laws of motion and momentum

Module 4

Electrons, waves and photons

Charge and current
Energy, power and resistance
Electrical circuits
Waves
Quantum physics

Module 5

Newtonian world and astrophysics

Thermal physics
Circular motion
Oscillations
Gravitational fields
Astrophysics and cosmology

Module 6

Particles and medical physics

Capacitors
Electric fields
Electromagnetism
Nuclear and particle physics
Medical imaging

Assesment

AS Level

Component 01: Breadth in physics

Assessment of content from modules 1-4
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
50% of total AS level

Component 02: Depth in physics

Assessment of content from modules 1-4
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
50 % of total AS level

A Level

Component 01: Modelling physics

Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
100 marks
2 hour 15 minutes written paper
37% of total A level

Component 02: Exploring physics

Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
100 marks
2 hour 15 minutes written paper
37% of total A level

Component 03: Unified physics

Assessment of content from all modules
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
26% of total A level

Practical Endorsement in physics

Non-exam assessment
At least 12 practical activities to be completed
Reported separately as a pass or a fail

Set Texts

Reading List

OCR AS/A Level Physics 2015: Student books 1 & 2 (OCR GCE Science 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1447990826, 978-1447990833

Specification

Teachers will choose the examination board for students joining in Year 12 based on their expertise and specialist knowledge. For Year 13 and retake students, teachers will continue students’ studies with AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR or WJEC/Eduqas. Please note that we do not offer CIE but can more than map to one of the boards listed.

Teachers

Andrew Murray
BSc (Imperial), MA (King’s), MPhil (King’s)

Anthony Korte
MA (Oxford), MSc (UCL), PhD (Imperial)

Sean Doherty
BEd (Alberta), MA (UCL), MBA (Coventry)

Thomas Murat
MSc (UCL), MSci (UCL), PGCE (UCL)

Why Choose Westminster Tutors?

Top independent sixth form college
A level grades 43% A*-A and 80% A*-B
Superbly qualified teachers who care
77% of leavers to Russell Group unis
Exceptional UCAS support
Individual weekly mentoring
100% of our parents recommend us
Celebrating 90 years of academic excellence

Talk to us on today 020 7584 1288

About Us

Westminster Tutors is one of the oldest and best independent sixth form colleges in London. Established in 1934, our culture of scholastic excellence is deeply embedded and sets the standard for other colleges to follow.