AS/A Level Chemistry


  • Start Date: 08/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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For A-level Chemistry, we follow the AQA specification and study in depth three main pathways: physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.

We pick up where you left off with GCSE, taking a more in-depth look at familiar topics such as bonding, atomic structure, reversible reactions/equilibria as well as alkanes and alkenes.

Chemistry is the study of all chemical substances and how to change one chemical into another.

The food you eat, the air you breathe, your own body, the plants and streets around you are all made of chemicals.

Throughout the course, we look at real-world applications of chemistry including how it powers the batteries in your mobile phones through redox reactions, how it is used to test for and quantify alcohol in breath/blood samples and how it can be used to outline the gut during x-rays.

Chemistry is also studied in an environmental and social context with there being a large focus on pollution and sustainability.

With all industries facing pressures to become more sustainable and create a safe environment for future generations, Chemistry is all the more important as it helps to decrease pollution by detecting the toxins and by destroying them.

We also look at the problems and solutions of polymer disposal; the cause of ozone depletion; as well as carbon neutral processes, for example using ethanol as a biofuel, amongst other current issues that we as a planet are facing.

If you enjoy logical problem-solving, then chemistry is for you.

You’ll develop strong skills in:

  • Maths
  • Analysis
  • Time management and organisation
  • Recording and monitoring data
  • Teamwork.

Assessment

Your knowledge and skills will be assessed in a variety of ways, including:

  • Frequent topic tests
  • Mock assessments
  • Practical assessments as part of the practical accreditation
  • Exams; the three main branches of chemistry: physical, inorganic and organic will be assessed through two 1.5 hour exams at AS Level (year one) and three 2 hour exams at A Level (year two).

Each level lasts one year, so you’ll spend a year studing AS Level and a year studying A Level.

Each year more students are studying science subjects as they realise that science degrees generally lead on to higher incomes.

More students are studying pure chemistry or chemistry based subjects like pharmacy, medical chemistry or environmental chemistry.

AS or A Level Chemistry is particularly important if you want to study medicine, veterinary science, dentistry or biochemistry at university.

It is also appreciated by admissions tutors in many other subjects, including law, due to its logical discipline.

It is useful if you want to go on and study subjects such as geology, physical geography, engineering or material science.

Many chemistry graduates are also recruited by the financial companies in the City of London and so start with high salaries.

In order to study A-levels with us, all students need to obtain a strong GCSE grade profile, averaging 6 x Grade 6s.

Individual subjects will also have their own specific requirements. In Chemistry, you will be expected to have either a 7 in GCSE Chemistry or a 76 in GCSE Combined Science, along with a 6 in GCSE Maths.

However, if you do not meet this profile, please still come to one of our enrolment events to discuss all of your options with a member of our A-level team.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026