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Physics
Level 3
Further Education
Armagh Campus
Overview
Physics is about finding out what the universe is made of and how things work and interact with each other. It is concerned with the most basic building blocks of all things - from ants to antennas, from quarks to quasars.
Studying Physics will encourage you develop the way you think about and examine the world. It will also challenge you to question the way things are. This A-Level will help you to develop your analytical, reasoning and practical problem-solving skills.
The study of physics is essential in our modern world. Physics holds the answer to many of the biggest questions of our time. There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in physics: it is a period of huge innovation and discovery.
In the study of Physics, you will develop your practical skills, in addition to other skills including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, analysis and investigation.
Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.
For applicants who are at least 16 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course and who have recently been in education to key stage 4, must have one of the following:
Applicants wishing to study 3 A-Levels must have achieved 5 GCSEs at Grade C. It is desirable that these should include GCSE English Language Grade C and GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above.
Applicants wishing to study 4 A-Levels must have achieved 6 GCSEs at Grade B. It is essential that these include GCSE English Language Grade C and GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above.
GCSE Double Award Science grade BB or GCSE Physics grade C or above and GCSE Mathematics grade B or above.
BTEC First Diploma or Certificate or equivalent at Merit or above (with an overall qualification profile equivalent to 20 points or above)
Leaving Certificate – a profile equivalent to 14 points (of which 4 subjects must be achieved at Grade C3 or better at Ordinary Level) pre-2017. From 2017, 4 subjects must be achieved at 04 or better at Ordinary Level.
Attendance at IPEAS or GPEAS is essential in the selection of candidates in all courses.
It is desirable that students have attained a GCSE at grade B or above in the subject they wish to study for A Level.
Applicants wishing to study an A-Level in Physics must have obtained GCSE Double Award Science grade BB or GCSE Physics grade C or above and GCSE Mathematics grade B or above.
AS Content
Assessment
Weighting
Unit 1: Forces, Energy & Electricity
External written exam 1 hour 45 minutes
40% of AS 16% of A-Level
Unit 2: Waves, Photons & Astronomy
External written exam 1 hour 45 minutes
40% of AS 16% of A-Level
Unit 3: Practical Techniques & Data Analysis
External exam - Practical Experiment Skills (1 hour) External exam - Analysis of Experimental Data (1 hour)
20% of AS 8% of A-Level
A2 Content
Assessment
Weighting
Unit 1: Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics,
Circular Motion, Oscillation, Atomic &
Nuclear Physics
External written exam 2 hours
24% of A-Level
Unit 2: Fields, Capacitors & Particle Physics
External written exam 2 hours
24% of A-Level
Unit 3: Practical Techniques & Data Analysis
External exam - Practical Experiment Skills (1 hour) External exam - Analysis of Experimental Data (1 hour)
Combination of external examinations and practical assessments, as outlined in the section above.
Through studying Physics you may gain access to an extensive range of higher level degree courses. The relevance of Physics to all courses in both the pure and applied sciences is easy to appreciate.
Studying A-Level Physics opens up a range of careers including astronomy, geophysics, computer science, medicine, dentistry, ophthalmic optics, engineering and astrophysics.