A Level Physics 2025-26

If you are already interested in the physics topics in your science studies at GCSE then you should consider studying physics. If you would like to know more about fundamental ideas such as quantum mechanics, relativity and cosmology, then physics may be for you. If you are good at maths and if you find mathematical solutions to problems satisfying, then studying physics is worth serious consideration.

Physics can help you progress into a wide range of areas, for example into applied physics, astrophysics, geophysics, material technology, forensic science, engineering, meteorology and medical physics. Some other complementary career areas include medicine, mathematics, computing, finance, law, accountancy and many more.

Core content:

1.Measurements and their errors, including use of SI units and their prefixes, limitations of physical measurement, estimation of physical quantities.
2.Particles and radiation, including constituents of the atom, particle interactions, collisions of electrons with atoms.
3.Waves, including progressive waves, interference, diffraction.
4.Mechanics and materials, including projectile motion, Newton’s laws of motion.
5.Electricity, including current/voltage characteristics, circuits, electromotive force and internal resistance.
6.Further mechanics and thermal physics, including periodic motion, thermal energy transfer, molecular kinetic theory model.
7.Fields and their consequences, including Newton’s law of gravitation, orbits of planets and satellites, magnetic flux density.
8.Nuclear physics, including evidence for the nucleus, radioactive decay, nuclear instability.

Optional unit – Students study one option topic in:

Astrophysics: including classification of stars by luminosity, Doppler effect, detection of exoplanets

Or Turning points in physics: including discovery of the electron, Einstein’s theory of special relativity.

Physics can help you progress into a wide range of areas, for example in applied physics, astrophysics, geophysics, material technology, forensic science, engineering, meteorology and medical physics. Also into complementary career areas, such as medicine, mathematics, computing, finance, law, accountancy and many more.

Physics can help you progress into a wide range of areas, for example in applied physics, astrophysics, geophysics, material technology, forensic science, engineering, meteorology and medical physics. Also into complementary career areas, such as medicine, mathematics, computing, finance, law, accountancy and many more.

To study A Level Physics you will need to have a grade 6 or above in GCSE Physics (triple science) or a 6-6 in combined Science. You also need to have a grade 6 or above in GCSE Mathematics.

For a three A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of five 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics.

For a four A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of six 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics; it is expected that the majority of passes will be at 7-9 grade.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

You will sit three exams at the end of year 13 which will come together to give you an overall final grade. Each paper is 2 hours long.

Paper 1 - This covers all year 12 material including waves, mechanics, materials, electricity and particles and radiation. Paper 1 also includes questions based on further mechanics which is a topic covered in year 13.

Paper 2 - This paper covers all year 13 material including gravitational, magnetic and electric fields and nuclear physics, as well as synoptic questions covering content from year 12. This paper also includes a section of multiple choice questions.

Paper 3 - This paper is divided into two sections. The first section is based on practical skills and analysis which you will have developed by working through the 12 required practicals.
The section part of paper 3 is an optional unit. All students must complete the same optional unit and this is usually either astrophysics or turning points.

September 2025

Two years, full time.