Physics

Course summary

You need to be interested in the place of physics in the world today and the impact that discoveries in physics have had on the way people live. You should be interested in a wide range of physics topics that you will have been introduced to at GCSE including the motions of objects, how circuits work, the interaction of waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics. You will be introduced to new topic areas such as quantum physics, cosmology, oscillations and medical physics. A-Level Physics is a significant step up from GCSE, hence independent study, regular retrieval practice, and practicing exam techniques are key for achieving strong grades. This course combines well with Mathematics, Further Mathematics as well as Chemistry. Physics has a very high mathematical component, so you need to be confident in your mathematical skills and using them to solve problems. It requires a high level of literacy to describe and explain in depth knowledge to novel situations. You also need practical skills such as processing results, writing methods, and referencing as well as analytical skills and strong logical reasoning. Physics is often a required or preferred subject for Engineering courses. Its wide application means it opens doors to many other sectors including Finance, Architecture, Game Design, Law and Medical Physics.