Most sixth form colleges do not require A Level Computer Science applicants to have a prior GCSE in the subject. However, it is advantageous to have a good grounding in maths and logic. It’s also possible for kids to take A Level Computer Science at FunTech without having completed a GCSE first.
Here’s all you need to know, and how your child could get a head start with FunTech and take A Level Computer Science online with us.
What GCSE grade do you need to do a level computer science?
As previously explained, you do not need to have taken a GCSE in computer science to then progress onto the A Level. But most colleges will be looking for students who have good maths grades.
With FunTech it’s different, as we take children through various tech course stages in our Tech Academy. If the child then takes and passes our PureCoder course, we will let them enrol onto our online A Level Computer Science course.
The A Level will stretch the student’s ability to apply programming concepts with in-exam coding and also expands on the theoretical aspect of computer science through an extensive A Level Computer Science curriculum.
Included are:
- Fundamentals of programming
- Fundamentals of data structures
- Fundamentals of algorithms
- Theory of computation
- Fundamentals of data representation, Fundamentals of computers systems
- Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture
- Consequences of uses of computing
- Fundamentals of communication and networking
- Fundamentals of databases
- Big Data
- Fundamentals of functional programming
- Systematic approach to problem solving
If your child or you yourself are interested in pursuing a career in computer science, but haven’t completed GCSEs, don’t worry. Aside from the FunTech courses, there are still options available, including relevant work experience or vocational courses. Even if you don’t have the traditional education requirements for a computer science degree, you can still pursue this path through foundation or pre-university courses.
And if you’re not interested in a traditional degree, consider vocational courses, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, or self-learning to gain the skills you need for a successful career in computer science.
If you are a parent exploring these options, then the first step towards a computer science career could be FunTech’s online A Level Computer Science course.