Looking for a highly respected A-level that keeps your career options wide open?

Are you curious about the world around you?

Do you enjoy problem solving and are reasonably good at maths?

...Then Physics could be for you

What is Physics?

Physics is at the heart of all science and engineering.  It is an exciting and challenging subject to study, requiring an enquiring mind and clear thinking.  Physics attempts to understand everything that we can observe and measure, from the smallest subatomic particles to the infinitely large scale of the universe itself.  That's kind of ambitious for a two-year course so have a look over the page for the topics we start with.

What skills will I develop?
Problem solving, logical reasoning, mathematical skills, precision measuring, powers of analysis, creativity and imagination to cope with abstract concepts such as quarks and antimatter, data-handling, keen observation skills, ability to communicate complex ideas.  The list goes on.

Still not convinced?  How about a cash incentive?  Lots of universities offer bursaries worth thousands of pounds for students continuing with Physics at degree level and UK Physics graduates earn more than those in most other disciplines.  Physics is essential if you are interested in engineering but it can also open doors to a wider range of careers than almost any other subject. 

Physicists: Monitor the environment, become investment analysts, design renewable energy sources, develop life-saving medical equipment, trade stocks & shares, design computer games, become astronauts, predict the weather, write for national newspapers, study space, join MI5, recreate black holes ...

The jump from GCSE

To study Physics at A-level you need to have studied Physics and Mathematics before at GCSE and shown a strong level of understanding.  Many topics lead on from GCSE BUT at A-level there's not much you can just learn by heart - most equations are on the exam paper for a start.  It's all about applying your understanding to new situations - a skill that only comes with practice.  We will give you lots of support but you'll need to be prepared for some hard work.

The course

At AS the course builds on GCSE Physics but also introduces some new topics.  Forces & motion, energy, electricity and waves are topics that you should already recognise.  But how about the more exotic sounding subatomic particles, antimatter and quantum phenomena?  Also 20% of the marks at AS are based on a practical skills assessment.

At A2 the course builds on the AS content.  We look at more complex types of motion, fields (gravitational, magnetic and electric, not the grassy ones), nuclear physics and more about heat.  A2 also includes some interesting option topics such as special relativity and time dilation. Again you will also be assessed on your ever-improving practical skills.

Still interested? 
If you'd like to find out more then come on up to the Physics department anytime.  We can answer all your questions and dazzle you with our resources.  Physicists have all the best toys too - the Van de Graaff machine, skateboards, silly glasses, loud buzzy things - we even get to play in the lift.  What more could you want from an A-level?

Simmone Hewett
Head of Physics