Advanced Subsidiary (AS) & Advanced (A Level)
COMPUTER SCIENCE
OCR Computer Science will above all else be relevant to the modern and changing world of
computing giving learners a real, in-depth understanding of how computer science works.
Computer Science is a practical subject where learners can apply the academic principles learned
in the classroom to real world systems. It is an intensely creative subject that combines invention
and excitement, that can look at the natural world through a digital prism. OCR’s Computer
Science will value computational thinking, helping learners to develop the skills to solve problems,
design systems and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence.
Learners will no doubt be familiar with the use of computers and other related technology from
their other subjects and elsewhere. However, this course will give them an insight into what goes
on ‘behind the scenes’, including how a computer works and computer programming, which many
students find absorbing.
The OCR AS Level and A-Level in Computer Science will encourage learners to be inspired,
motivated and challenged by following a broad, coherent, practical satisfying and worthwhile
course of study. It will provide insight into, and experience of how computer science works,
stimulating learners’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with computer science in their
everyday lives and to make informed choices about further study or career choices. The key
features include:
• Emphasis on problem solving using computers
• Emphasis on computer programming and algorithms
• Emphasis on the mathematical skills used to express computational laws and processes,
e.g. Boolean algebra/logic and algorithm comparison
• Less emphasis on ICT
Advanced Subsidiary (AS) in Computer Science is a ‘stand-alone’ qualification but has been
designed to be co-teachable with the ‘stand-alone’ Advanced (A-Level) in Computer Science
The content of which is divided into two components:
 Computing principles (Component 01) contains the majority of the content of the
specification and is assessed in a written paper recalling knowledge and understanding.
This component will introduce learners to the internal workings of the Central Processing
Unit (CPU), the exchange of data and will also look at software development, data types
and legal and ethical issues. It is expected that learners will draw on this underpinning
content when studying computational thinking and developing programming techniques.
Learners will be expected to apply the criteria in different contexts including current and
future uses of the technologies.
 Algorithms and problem solving (Component 02) relates principally to problem solving
skills needed by learners to apply the knowledge and understanding encountered in the
Computing principles (Component 01) and will incorporate and build on the knowledge and
understanding gained. In addition, learners should, understand what is meant by
computational thinking, understand the benefits of applying computational thinking to
solving problems and be able to use algorithms to describe problems.
The Advanced (A-Level) in Computer Science is a ‘stand-alone’ qualification but has been
designed to be co-teachable with the ‘stand-alone’ Advanced Subsidiary (AS) in Computer
Science. The content of which is divided into three components:
• Computer systems (Component 01) contains the majority of the content of the specification
and is assessed in a written paper recalling knowledge and understanding. This
component will introduce learners to the internal workings of the Central Processing Unit
(CPU), the exchange of data and will also look at software development, data types and
legal and ethical issues. It is expected that learners will draw on this underpinning content
when studying computational thinking, developing programming techniques and devising
their own programming approach in the Programming project (Component 03 or 04).
Learners will be expected to apply the criteria in different contexts including current and
future uses of the technologies
• Algorithms and Programming (Component 02) relates principally to problem solving skills
needed by learners to apply the knowledge and understanding encountered in Component
01 and will incorporate and build on the knowledge and understanding gained. In addition,
learners should understand what is meant by computational thinking, understand the
benefits of applying computational thinking to solving problems and be able to use
algorithms to describe problems.
• Programming project component (03 or 04) is a practical portfolio based assessment with
a task that is chosen by the teacher or learner and is produced in an appropriate
programming language of the learner’s or teacher’s choice. Learners will be expected to
analyse, design, develop, test, evaluate and document a program written in a suitable
programming language. The underlying approach to the project is to apply the principles of
computational thinking to a practical coding problem. Learners are expected to appropriate
principles from an agile development approach to the project development. While the
project assessment criteria are organized into specific categories, it is anticipated the final
report will document the agile development process and elements for each of the
assessment categories that will appear throughout the report.
Mathematical skills are embedded throughout the content of all components in both the AS Level
and the A-Level in Computer Science, assessed in the written papers and through the nonexamined assessment where appropriate.
What are the Entry Requirements?
5 GCSE Grade B’s or above, including a Grade B in GCSE ICT or Computing / Merit in BTEC and
ideally Mathematics / Physics Grade A. A facility with using computers is also assumed. Finally,
and perhaps most importantly, enthusiasm for the subject and an ability to solve problems logically
is essential.
Examination Board
OCR
How is the course structured and taught?
Year 12 : AS LEVEL (H046)
Component 01
Assessed by a theory
examination in May/June
of Year 12
70 Marks - 1hr 15mins
(50% of AS Level)
Component 01
Assessed by a theory
examination in May/June
of Year 12
Computing principles
1.1 The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and
storage devices
1.2 Software and software development
1.3 Exchanging data
1.4 Data types, data structures and algorithms
1.5 Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues
Algorithms and problem solving
2.1 Elements of computational thinking
2.2 Problem solving and programming
2.3 Algorithms
70 Marks - 1hr 15mins
(50% of AS Level)
Year 13 : A LEVEL (H446)
Component 01
Assessed by a theory
examination in May/June
of Year 13
140 Marks - 2hrs 20mins
(40% of A Level)
Component 01
Assessed by a theory
examination in May/June
of Year 13
Computer systems
1.1 The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and
storage devices
1.2 Software and software development
1.3 Exchanging data
1.4 Data types, data structures and algorithms
1.5 Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
Algorithms and Programming
2.1 Elements of computational thinking
2.2 Problem solving and programming
2.3 Algorithms
140 Marks - 2hrs 30mins
(40% of A Level)
Component 03 or 04
Assessed Internally
Moderated Externally
70 Marks
(20% of A Level)
12AS LEVEL UNITS (H046)
Programming Project
3.1 Analysis of the problem (10 marks)
3.2 Design of the solution (15 marks)
3.3 Developing the solution (25 marks)
3.4 Evaluation (20 marks)
Computing principles / Computer systems (Component 01): Learners answer all the questions.
There will be a mix of questions including short answer, longer answer and some higher tariff
questions that will test the quality of extended responses. Marks for these responses are
integrated into the marking criteria. The whole of the Computing principles / Computer systems
content will be covered over the life of the specification.
Algorithms and problem solving / Algorithms and Programming (Component 02): Learners answer
all the questions for AS Level and all the questions in Section A and Section B for A-Level. There
will be a mix of questions including short answer, longer answer and some higher tariff questions
that will test the quality of extended written responses via a level of response mark scheme, where
marks for these responses are integrated into the marking criteria. The whole of the Algorithms
and problem solving / Algorithm and programming content will be covered over the life of the
specification. For A-Level, Section A will contain questions which may cover writing algorithms and
computational methods, programming and programming techniques and problem solving. These
questions may contain some shorter answer questions. Section B will have a scenario set at the
start of the section; this will contain information that will be used for the questions that follow. The
questions will be largely of a higher tariff with problem solving algorithms and programming again
forming the basis.
Programming project (Component 03 or 04): The programming project will be submitted in the
form of a report that will contain the solution to a problem, selected by the learner or centre, written
in a suitable programming language. Within the report the learner must demonstrate their ability to
analyse, design, develop, test and document using the principles learnt in computational thinking.
The report will be marked internally by the centre and then sent to OCR for moderation.
What Higher Education or career opportunities will it lead to?
Computer Science is an ideal foundation for students wishing to pursue a higher education
course in Computer Science / Software Engineering and many of our students go on and study
a Computer Science related degree at university. In addition, the skills obtained are readily
transferable to Mathematics, Science and Engineering related subjects. Some students combine
Computer Science with Art and Graphics related subjects with a view to entering the media side
of the technology industry, for example gaming and CGI effects. Where the ICT course concerns
itself with the business use of computers, this course goes into detail on how the machine
actually works and introduces programming concepts and practical applications.
For careers, Computer Science is a highly rated, academically demanding A Level and is
appreciated as such in industry and by universities. Computer Programming and Software
Engineering are careers that are in increasing demand, a fact exemplified by Sunderland being
designated as a Software City, an initiative encouraging technology companies to locate in the
area leading to a localised increase in availability of jobs in the technology industry.
What other life skills and experiences will I gain?
The aims of these qualifications are to enable learners to develop:
• An understanding of and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of
computer science including; abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data
representation
• The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of
solving such problems, including writing programs to do so
• The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science
• Mathematical skills
• The ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural
opportunities and risks of digital technology
• Skills in project and time management;
• An awareness of emerging technologies and an appreciation of their potential impact on
society.
NITS (H446)