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Build strong programming, data structures and theory knowledge for AQA and OCR A Level, with help at your pace.
Free, no-obligation chat · Affordable plans that fit your budget · Start this week
About this course
A Level Computer Science is a big step up from GCSE. Students meet object-oriented design, data structures, recursion, graph algorithms, the theory of computation and long written answers, all while building an independent project.
The course follows both main specifications. AQA (7517) has an on-screen Paper 1 built around a skeleton program (2 hours 30 minutes, 40%), a written Paper 2 on theory (2 hours 30 minutes, 40%), and a non-exam assessment (NEA) practical project worth 20%. OCR (H446) has two written papers of 2 hours 30 minutes each, Computer Systems and Algorithms and Programming (40% each), plus a programming project worth 20%. The modules below follow the common content, with board-specific topics marked.
Practise programming and data structures with our free Python lessons, or work with an affordable 1:1 mentor matched to your board. Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form, for a free, no-obligation chat. We will suggest a plan that fits your budget and flexible timings in your time zone, and you can start this week.
Outcomes
Detailed syllabus
Every module lists its topics and what you will be able to do. Where we have a matching free lesson, it is linked so you can study or revise on your own.
Procedural and object-oriented programming, exceptions and recursion.
By the end of this module you can
Static and dynamic structures and how to implement them.
By the end of this module you can
Standard algorithms and how their efficiency is measured.
By the end of this module you can
Number systems, binary arithmetic and how data is stored.
By the end of this module you can
Hardware, software and how a processor runs instructions.
By the end of this module you can
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Logic gates, simplification and circuits.
By the end of this module you can
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Relational design, normalisation, SQL and transactions.
By the end of this module you can
Protocols, layers, addressing and the web.
By the end of this module you can
The limits of computing and a different style of programming.
By the end of this module you can
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.
By the end of this module you can
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Skills for the independent project: analysis, design, testing and evaluation.
By the end of this module you can
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Ways to learn
A mentor who knows this course plans sessions around your goal, explains each idea with fresh examples and checks your understanding. Personal attention, flexible timings in your time zone and affordable plans that fit your budget.
Talk to our teamShort lessons in plain English with examples you run in your browser, quizzes and practice. Learn at your pace, and add a mentor whenever you want help.
How it works
Four simple steps to start A Level Computer Science with a mentor. A real person replies to you; there is no booking system.
Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form. The first chat is free, with no obligation.
We listen to your goal, level and deadlines, then suggest a plan that fits your budget and timings.
Online 1:1 sessions with a mentor who knows your course, explains clearly and checks your understanding.
Keep going between sessions with practice, and watch your confidence grow week by week.
Learn by doing
Implement a stack, queue, linked list and binary tree with classes, and write tests that show each one works.
Model a map as a graph and write Dijkstra's algorithm to find the shortest route between two places.
Design a normalised database with an ER diagram and write SQL queries for common questions.
Work through extended-response and trace questions for the board paper and review each answer with a mentor.
Your progress
Milestones from the start, middle and end of the syllabus.
Design classes that model a problem and use inheritance appropriately
Early on
Simplify a Boolean expression using identities or a Karnaugh map
Halfway
Understand what each stage of the project needs to show
By the end
For parents
If you are a parent reading this: A Level Computer Science is demanding, and many students benefit from steady, personal help alongside school lessons. MentorNxt mentoring is 1:1, online and affordable, and your student sets the pace.
FAQs
Free, no-obligation chat
Tell us what you need. Our support team replies within one working day, by email or WhatsApp, whichever you prefer, and arranges your mentor.
Prefer to talk first?
Message the support team directly. We usually reply the same day.
Our mentors teach and explain. They never complete graded work, tests or assessments for students.
Keep going
GCSE Computer Science for AQA, OCR and Edexcel: Python, algorithms and theory.
Cambridge 9618 AS and A Level: theory, pseudocode, algorithms and practical programming.
Complexity, arrays, lists, trees, graphs, sorting, greedy and dynamic programming.
Classes, encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, interfaces, SOLID and design patterns.
Data representation, ISA, datapath, pipelining, caches, memory and I/O.
Last reviewed
Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form. Our team replies with a plan that fits your goal and budget, and you can start this week.
Talk to us about a mentor