Computer Science
OCR A Level Computer Science
Our A Level Computer Science qualification helps students understand the core academic principles of computer science. Classroom learning is transferred into creating real-world systems through the creation of an independent programming project. Our A Level will develop the student’s technical understanding and their ability to analyse and solve problems using computational thinking.
Course Video
What will I study?
Component 1 | Component 2 | Component 3 |
Structure and Function of Processor | Thinking Abstractly | Personal Programming Project |
Types of Processor | Thinking ahead | |
Input, Output and storage | Thinking Procedurally | |
System Software and Operating Systems | Thinking Logically | |
Applications Generation | Thinking Concurrently | |
Software Development | Programming Techniques | |
Types of Programming Language | Software Development | |
Compression, Encryption and Hashing | Computational Methods | |
Databases | Algorithms | |
Networks | ||
Web Technologies | ||
Data Types | ||
Boolean Algebra | ||
Computing related legislation | ||
Moral and Ethical Issues |
How I will be assessed?
The course includes practical and written assessments. A range of assessment methods will be used throughout the course by your teacher to provide you with constant feedback and support.
Component 1 – Computer Systems
The internal workings of the (CPU), data exchange, software development, data types and legal and ethical issues.
Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes
40% Weighting of A Level
Component 2 – Algorithms and Programming
Using computational thinking to solve problems.
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
40% Weighting of A Level
Component 3 – Programming project
Students will be expected to analyse a problem, and design, develop and test, and evaluate and document a program. The program must be to solve it written in a suitable programming language.
Non-exam assessment
20% Weighting of A Level
Where does the course lead?
A student who studies computing can go onto a career in medicine, business, Law, politics or any type of Science. The emphasis on this course is placed on computational thinking; this is the type of reasoning used by both humans and machines.
For examination board link, click here.