A Level Computing Science

Course summary

Why should I study A Level Computer Science? So many things in our lives have all been turned upside down by computer science. It touches our lives daily; from the cars we drive, to the movies we watch, to the way businesses and governments deal with us. It is about understanding problems, how computers work and the systems they run. The computing sector is always in demand. Energy tech, software, digital content/media & entertainment, and medical devices are the four sectors generating the fastest growing businesses over the last three years. (Source: Deloitte) Course Overview Computer Science is about computational thinking: a style of reasoning used by both humans and machines. There is an emphasis on problem-solving, application of knowledge and skills development. Students taking Computer Science will study the technical aspects of hardware and networking, alongside concepts of programming. This subject is not about simply learning to use tools, or training in a programming language. It enables students to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically. Students will develop the capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science. The qualification will also develop students’ mathematical skills used to express computational laws and processes, such as Boolean algebra/logic and comparison of the complexity of algorithms. What can I do afterwards? Many students continue to go onto University to study a computing or computing-related degree. Furthermore, students may choose an apprenticeship degree scheme with some top UK businesses, such as PriceWaterhouse Coopers, GCHQ Cyberfirst, BT CyberSecurity. Computer Science nowadays impacts almost every sector in society. The job list is endless but to name a few; Cyber Security, Information Systems, Multimedia, Systems Analyst, Games Developer, Technical Writer, Medical Software, Software Engineer, Web Designer, Forensic Computer Analyst, IT Consultant, Application Analyst, Network Engineer, IT Security Specialist, Chief Information Officer, Graphic Designer, Business Analyst.