I chose to study A-Level Chemistry as I really enjoyed the GCSE and thought I might want to study a related subject at degree level. It also complemented my other science A-levels well, bringing in mathematical skills and well as wider problem-solving and reasoning.
Chemistry is a good mix of practical and theory - each lesson is always a bit different! The A-level course covers the various branches of Chemistry in more depth, so I've had the opportunity to discover more about the organic, inorganic and physical sides and the relationships between them. I like the fact that Chemistry questions tend to be a mix of different formats, varying from mathematical calculations to longer written answers, which offers some variety in the exams.
The department is very open and supportive and there is always somebody around if you have any questions. The lessons are engaging - the teachers really know their subjects but also add just the right amount of humour! There are also opportunities to engage with Chemistry outside of lessons, through trips and competitions like the Chemistry Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.
I've really enjoyed my time at college as there is much more flexibility in my schedule than there was at secondary school. It's a nice mixture of both set work and independent work which gives some structure, but also some freedom to work in a way that suits me.
I was part of a college netball team in Lower Sixth, which was a really great way to meet people, helping me find some of my close friends. I enjoyed the chance to continue with team sport and stay active, as well as the opportunity to travel to other local colleges for matches each week. I also took part in the 'Introduction to Engineering' +Explore course and really enjoyed applying my problem-solving skills to designing and creating 3D models. It was a much more hands-on experience than my normal A-level lessons and, even though I haven't ended up following an Engineering route, it was one of the highlights of my week, so I would definitely recommend giving a +Explore course a go!
Courses
Chemistry A Level
English Literature A Level
Maths A Level
Physics A Level
+Enrichment
Introduction to Engineering
Netball
What’s Next?
Oxford University: Chemistry