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Key features of the course
Computer Science is all about understanding how computers work and using that knowledge to solve real problems. This course gives you the chance to combine theory with lots of practical programming, preparing you for further study or a career in the ever-growing world of technology.
What you will study:
Hardware and Software
Learn how computers really work under the hood: from the processor and memory to operating systems and applications.
Data Representation
Get confident with the essential calculations that computers use every day, including binary, hexadecimal, floating-point numbers and ASCII.
Computer Architecture
Explore different models of how computers are built and how they process instructions, including the famous von Neumann and Harvard models.
Programming Skills
Spend plenty of time coding, mainly in C#, but with the chance to explore other languages too. You’ll develop both command-line and graphical applications.
Independent Research
Investigate a programming language of your choice in a research project: a chance to follow your own interests and broaden your knowledge.
Testing and Debugging
Learn how to find and fix errors, test your code thoroughly, and make sure your solutions are reliable and efficient.
Networks
Study how computers communicate with each other, including practical work on setting up and understanding networks, as well as the theory behind them.
Entry Requirements:
Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 with at least a grade 5 in Computer Science and Maths.
What could this course lead on to?
Many students go on to careers that focus on technology, including:
Network Specialist – designing, managing and securing the computer networks that keep businesses, schools and organisations connected.
Software Developer / Coder – creating applications, systems, and programs for different devices and platforms.
Website Developer – building and maintaining websites and web applications that power online services.
3D Game Designer – combining coding with creativity to design interactive and immersive games.
Database / SQL Developer – organising, managing and protecting data for companies, apps, and services.
Hardware Specialist – working with the physical components of computers, from design to repair and optimisation.
Software Tester / Debugger – ensuring programs run smoothly by testing, finding errors, and improving code quality.
Multi-Platform Application Developer – creating apps that work across phones, tablets, computers, and even smart devices.
These pathways can then lead into specialist careers in the rapidly growing tech sector. With computing at the heart of modern life, the skills you gain from this course will also be highly valued in fields like finance, healthcare, education, business, and creative industries.
What type of student is this course suitable for?
This course is ideal for students who enjoyed GCSE Computer Science and achieved at least a grade 5. If you are curious about how computers work, enjoy solving problems, and like the challenge of creating your own programs, this course will be a good fit for you.
To succeed, you should:
- Be confident with logical and mathematical thinking, as you’ll use complex calculations in areas such as binary, hexadecimal, and algorithms.
- Have an interest in coding and scripting, with the ability to write programs to a good standard.
- Be willing to test and debug your work, refining your solutions until they are effective and reliable.
- Be a problem-solver who doesn’t give up easily when faced with challenges.
Computer Science also works well alongside subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Science, and Media, as many of the skills overlap and support one another.
This course will particularly suit students who are:
- Analytical – able to break problems into smaller steps and think logically.
- Creative – keen to design new solutions, apps, or games.
- Resilient – willing to persevere through trial and error when programming gets tough.
- Curious – eager to understand not just how to use technology, but how it actually works.
Assessment Structure
| Title | Style of Assessment | |
| Unit One | Computer systems
| Written Exam |
| Unit Two | Algorithms and programming
| Written Exam
|
| Unit Three | Students to create a complex programming project on a topic of their choice using a language of their choice. This can be software or a game.
| Coursework Project
|