A-Level Chemistry (AQA 7404, 7405)

Course Overview

Are you a future medic, vet, engineer, biomedical scientist or pharmacist? If so, chemistry is for you!

Although challenging, the A-level chemistry course enables you to study areas such as drug synthesis and analysis, reaction mechanisms and chemistry of some biological compounds. There are opportunities to take part in master classes at university laboratories. Students also have the chance to take part in prestigious competitions and gain Olympiad awards from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

To have the widest possible choice in future, especially if you wish to study science at university, you should consider taking two science A-Levels. Most university courses count mathematics, geography or psychology as a second science. 

“The world is full of wonders, but chemistry makes them more spectacular.” 

St Ivo Student

You will study:

The course comprises topics within the areas of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, building on GCSE components. The required practical element of the course develops skills in all areas. A minimum of 12 experiments are completed, recorded and analysed.

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.

AS-Level

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

3.2 Inorganic chemistry

  • 3.2.1 Periodicity
  • 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
  • 3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens

3.3 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

A-Level

Physical Chemistry (includes AS topics plus A-level additions)

  • Thermodynamics
  • Rate equations
  • Equilibrium constant KpKp​ for gases
  • Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
  • Acids and bases

Inorganic Chemistry (includes AS topics plus A-level additions)

  • Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides
  • Transition metals
  • Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Organic Chemistry (includes AS topics plus A-level additions)

  • Optical isomerism
  • Aldehydes and ketones
  • Carboxylic acids and derivatives
  • Aromatic chemistry
  • Amines
  • Polymers
  • Amino acids, proteins, and DNA
  • Organic synthesis
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
  • Chromatography

Course Code: 7404, 7405

Minimum Entry Requirements

  • A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English 
  • Grade 6+ in GCSE mathematics
  • Grade 6+/6+ including biology in GCSE combined science or two grade 6+ including biology in triple science

Exam Board: AQA

Assessment

100% Exam:

  • Paper 1 – 35%
  • Paper 2 – 35%
  • Paper 3 – 30%

*Plus a practical endorsement

Choosing your post-16 options is an important decision, and St Ivo Academy Sixth Form is here to guide you. Applications are welcome from students in St Ives and beyond via the MyChoice16 platform.

Step-by-step application process

  1. Log in to your MyChoice16 account.
  2. Select ‘My Applications’. To start a new application, click ‘Start a new Application’; to continue an existing one, click ‘Continue’ next to your application.
  3. Complete all sections of your Profile Template if this is your first application. For additional applications, only ‘Course Choices’ needs to be completed.
  4. Qualifications will be uploaded by the school—this section can be skipped. Your form tutor will add a reference.
  5. Complete any remaining fields or checkboxes. Click ‘Send Application’ to submit.
  6. Your application status will update (eg. Sent, Schools Hold). The school will review your application to ensure it meets the requirements, and you may be asked to discuss it with a teacher.
  7. Monitor your application regularly and respond promptly to any notifications.
  8. All applicants will be invited to an interview before a provisional offer is made.

 

Scientific & Research Careers

  • Chemist / Analytical Chemist
  • Biochemist / Molecular Scientist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Materials Scientist / Nanotechnologist
  • Environmental Scientist

Healthcare & Medicine

  • Doctor, Dentist, or Pharmacist
  • Veterinarian
  • Forensic Scientist / Toxicologist
  • Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Dietitian / Nutritionist

Industry & Technology

  • Chemical Engineer
  • Quality Control / Quality Assurance Analyst
  • Industrial Research & Development
  • Laboratory Technician

Other Related Careers

  • Science Teacher / Lecturer
  • Patent Examiner / Intellectual Property Specialist
  • Science Communicator / Writer

Caroline Marshall – Caroline Marshall@astreastivo.org

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