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.

Tutors

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)

Taj Bhutta
MPhys (Sussex), PhD (Southampton)

Why Choose Westminster Tutors?

  • Top independent sixth form college
  • Average grades 57% A*-A and 80% A*-B
  • 68% placed at Russell Group unis
  • Superbly qualified teachers who care
  • Average A level retake improvement is 1.5 grades
Student studying for her A-Levels
The Good Schools Guide Logo
Click to read

Click one of the logos to read more

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.