Project Description
Course Overview
AQA Qualification Code: 7517
Computer Science encompasses the theoretical aspects of how a computer is designed, used and applied to solve real world problems. It is an applied subject that provides the student with practical problem solving skills in a variety of programming language. It provides a strong foundation for students who wish to enter a career in Computer Science as Programmers, Data Analysts, Cyber Security Consultants, Wed Designers, Games Developers or Electronic Engineers. It is aimed at students who see themselves as developing their own computer software and hardware.
Course Options:
1. Self Study
All of our A Levels are studied online with support from our specialist subject tutors. You will be given access to our online learning materials and e-books. Your tutor will provide detailed feedback on your learning & mock exams. They will also be on hand over the phone, video calls, WhatsApp or email to support & guide you.
- Access to full course online
- e-books provided
- Workbooks* will be posted
- Interactive quizzes*
- Google Classroom Access
- Tutor email support
- Register your exams with us
- Online live classes – these are live interactive classes.
- These classes are recorded and can be watched back, access available for 7 days
- Access to full course online
- e-books provided
- Workbooks* will be posted
- Interactive quizzes*
- Google Classroom Access
- Homework/assignments set and mark & feedback provided
- Mock assessments in Autumn and Spring
- Register your exams with us
- UCAS Application support
The Classroom Environment
Our online/in-person classes are small making learning more accessible for learners and gives the classroom environment a calm atmosphere to learn. Having a limited number of students in the classroom gives the students more one-on-one time with their teacher, for teachers to review students’ work, to provide feedback on what went well, and how to improve students’ work for the future.
About our teachers
Our teachers are enthusiastic about learning. Teachers will support students towards their individual pathways in education.. Our teachers are here to help!
Course structure – Self-study option
- Total course – 160 hours online
- Students are expected to study 6 hours per week, independently
Course structure – PLUS option
- 3 hours of online live classes per week over 20 weeks
- Students are expected to study a further 3 hours per week, independently
- Total course – 160 hours online
Course fees – Self-study Option
- Enrolment fee: £80
- Course fee: £650
Installments available over 8 months (Sept- April) – pay £66.25 per month (after deducting the application fee)
Course fees for PLUS Option
- Enrolment fee: £80
- Course fee: £1200
How to Apply?
- Complete the application form
- Send a scanned, coloured copy of your Passport or Driving License office@swanseacollege.com
- Pay the application fee of £200 (the application fee is made up of £80 enrolment fee and £120 towards the course fee, this fee is non-refundable)
Course Contents
The course is structured into bite-sized parts:
- Programming
- Programming paradigms
- Data structures and abstract data types
- Queues
- Stacks
- Graphs
- Trees
- Hash tables
- Dictionaries
- Vectors
- Graph-traversal
- Tree-traversal
- Reverse Polish
- Searching algorithms
- Sorting algorithms
- Optimisation algorithms
- Abstraction and automation
- Regular languages
- Context-free languages
- Classifcation of algorithms
- A model of computation
- Number systems
- Number bases
- Units of information
- Binary number system
- Information coding systems
- Representing images, sound and other data
- Hardware and software
- Classifcation of programming languages
- Types of program translator
- Logic gates
- Boolean algebra
- Internal hardware components of a computer
- The stored program concept
- Structure and role of the processor and its components
- External hardware devices
- Individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural issues and opportunities
- Communication
- Networking
- The Internet
- The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocol
- Conceptual data models and entity relationship modelling
- Relational databases
- Database design and normalisation techniques
- Structured Query Language (SQL)
- Client server databases
- Big Data
- Functional programming paradigm
- Writing functional programs
- Lists in functional programming
- Aspects of software development
Entry Requirements:
GCSE Computer Science grade C or above.
Assessments
Mock Assessments will take place in December and March/April. (PLUS option only).
Register for your exams by 20th January
A level: 2 written exams non-exam assessment.
More information can be found in the specification
You will be awarded up to 56 UCAS points per A Level
Have a question? Ask our virtual assistant on live chat below
or call us on 01792 535000 and speak to our experienced Student Adviser.
