About.

AQA A level Chemistry allows pupils to learn how chemistry impacts our everyday life such as O-zone depletion, choosing materials for industrial projects and how medicines develop. If you enjoyed the practical side of Chemistry at GCSE then you will enjoy this course as it builds upon these skills and takes them further to include chemical analysis of products.

The Chemistry A Level course helps students develop a number of skills: 

  • How to assemble and assess data
  • How to investigate facts and use deduction 
  • How to put over your point of view fluently 
  • How to work as a team to achieve results
  • How to plan, carry out and evaluate a scientific method

CLICK HERE for the A-Level Chemistry Curriculum Provision Overview

Complementary Subjects.

Students who take Chemistry often also study from a wide range of subjects, including Biology, Mathematics, , Further Mathematics, Physics, BTEC Extended Level 3 Diploma in Biomedical Science, BTEC Extended Level 3 Diploma in Engineering . It is a subject which helps develop analytical problem solving and is highly valued beyond the field of the sciences.

Maths Further Maths Biology Physics Science

Career Pathways.

Chemistry is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in health and clinical professions, such as medicine, nursing, biochemistry, dentistry or forensic science. It will also equip you for a career in industry, for example in the petrochemical or pharmaceutical industries

Careers Page

Further Information.

If you require further information on any aspect of the course you should contact the following:

Shehla Rahman
Ms Shehla Rahman,
Science ACAL/Subject Leader Chemistry

Assessment.

AQA CHEMISTRY

Teaching Units, Assessment Method and Weighting.

Topics
Sections
Sections (continued)
3.1 Physical chemistry
3.1.1 Atomic structure

3.1.2 Amount of substance

3.1.3 Bonding

3.1.4 Energetics

3.1.5 Kinetics

3.1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc

3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
3.1.8 Thermodynamics (A-level only)

3.1.9 Rate equations (A-level only)

3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A-level only)

3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
(A-level only)

3.1.12 Acids and bases (A-level only)
3.2 Inorganic chemistry
3.2.1 Periodicity

3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens

3.2.4 Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (A-level only)
3.2.5 Transition metals (A-level only)

3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only)
3.3 Organic chemistry
3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry

3.3.2 Alkanes

3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes

3.3.4 Alkenes

3.3.5 Alcohols

3.3.6 Organic analysis

3.3.7 Optical isomerism (A-level only)

3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones (A-level only)

3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only)

3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry (A-level only)

3.3.11 Amines (A-level only)

3.3.12 Polymers (A-level only)

3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA (A-level only)

3.3.14 Organic synthesis (A-level only)

3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (A-level only)

3.3.16 Chromatography (A-level only)
Assessment Method
Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Physical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Relevant practical skills
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Relevant practical skills
Physical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Any practical skills
2 hour exam
105 marks
35% of A Level
2 hour exam
105 marks
35% of A Level
2 hour exam
90 marks
30% of A Level
105 marks of short and long answer questions
105 marks of short and long answer questions
40 marks of practical skills and data analysis

20 marks of questions of testing from full specification

30 marks of multiple choice questions