Physics

Entry Requirements:

Six GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), two from English, Maths OR Science

Two at least grade 6 (or B)

GCSE Maths (higher tier) grade 9-6 WITH EITHER GCSE Physics grade 9-6 OR GCSE Combined Science grades 9,9-6,6

Please Note:It is highly recommended that students following a combination of Maths/Biology/Chemistry/Physics A level courses have at least one GCSE grade 7 in one of these chosen subjects.

What is Physics?

A Level Physics is an exciting and important course which can offer you huge opportunities for your future. Discover how a Formula One car turns a corner and why the Earth orbits the Sun. Learn what’s inside a proton and how a nuclear reactor works. Learn how an engineer designs a bridge and a quantum physicist can make light act like a particle. Physics will inspire you to see the world around you in a totally new way.

Paper 1: Mechanics, Materials, Electricity, Waves, Particle Physicsand Quantum Physics

Paper 2: Circular Motion, Pendulums, Gravitational Fields and Satellites,Electric Fields and Capacitors, Magnetic Fields, Radioactivity and Nuclear Power, and Thermal Physics

Paper 3: Practical Skills and Engineering

Skills

An A-level in Physics shows you are confident with both problem solving and scientific thinking, and are good at working with numbers. Physics will challenge you to think about the world you live in and explain why and how things happen.

Careers/Destinations

Well over 75% of physics students progressed to university, with 60% progressing to a Russell Group university and 4 students going to Oxford or Cambridge. The vast majority of students pursued a science or engineering based course such as Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering, with some as varied as Robotics or Aviation Technology.

What makes Loreto’s Physics department unique?

Physics at Loreto is taught by very experienced and highly qualified A level teachers in modern, well equipped laboratories.
Students studying physics have many opportunities to visit universities, attend master classes and other lectures, and take part in a variety of visits and activities relating to physics, engineering and medical related fields.
Students can also take part in various competitions relating to physics, engineering and medicine, including the British Physics Olympiad and institute of physics young person’s lecture competition, Senior physics challenge and Ogden Trust physics symposium.
It is also possible to be involved in a mentoring programme, in which Loreto student’s organize and deliver science club activities to younger students from local schools.
Work experience has also been arranged for many students in the areas of engineering and physics related employment. A wide range of physics and engineering related events have been organised both at college and in local venues Students have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of trips such as the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition and physics taster days at Russell group universities to discover cutting edge physics research. In previous years, students have visited CERN in Geneva and The European Space Centre in Belgium. We are always looking for exciting opportunities to explore physics worldwide.

I really enjoy physics because I like Maths, problem solving and doing practicals. I particularly liked learning about particle physics and the engineering topic, because that’s what I’m applying for at university. The trip to CERN was great too!
Ellie Scrimshaw, former Physics student

News

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