Chemistry AS Level
Pearson Edexcel
Unlock the science that surrounds us in everyday life when you study AS level Chemistry online.
Through our Chemistry AS level, you’ll gain fascinating knowledge about the world we live in. This qualification is ideal if you’re keen to study degree-level science or interested in careers such as forensic science, chemical engineering and product development.
Through topics such as atomic structure, equilibrium, transition metals and modern analytical techniques, you’ll learn to critically evaluate scientific information and evidence, as well as building a broader appreciation of the critical role chemistry plays in our society.
AS levels give students the opportunity to start studying a subject in depth and think about whether they want to carry and study for an A level. AS levels are useful for university applicants who need to top up their UCAS points, or for students who want to study formally a subject they enjoy.
Our AS level Chemistry online course explores complex ideas through relevant, engaging topics – all with the support of a specialist personal tutor. Alongside subject knowledge, you’ll gain confidence in mathematical, problem-solving, and practical skills.
You’ll have the flexibility to fit study around your lifestyle, learning at your own pace. Like many NEC students, perhaps you’ll go on to study a science-based subject at university, or use your qualification to support your next career move?
Our Chemistry AS level course is ideal if you:.
- Are keen to build on knowledge gained at GCSE level.
- Have an enthusiasm for chemistry and an interest in further study or related careers.
- Enjoy working scientifically: making predictions, testing theories and evaluating and communicating your findings.
- Would like to build your analytical, numeracy, communication and problem-solving skills, to improve your employability.
- Are interested in discovering how chemistry impacts everyday life.
Future opportunities
- Employers value candidates who can demonstrate science-based skills.
- Studying chemistry or STEM subjects at university.
- A range of rewarding careers including in medicine, research, biochemistry, chemical engineering, consumer product development, forensic science, environmental law, pharmaceuticals, space exploration, software design or related areas such as the food industry, technical writing, transportation and education.
Section 1: Working as a chemist
- Moles
- Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Monitoring the course of a reaction
Section 2: Bonding and redox reactions
- Organic chemistry
- Bonding and structure
- Redox 1
- Redox reactions
Section 3: Inorganic chemistry, quantities and energy in reactions
- Electronic structures
- Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
- Formulae, equations and amounts of substance
- Energetics
Section 4: Organic chemistry
- Naming organic compounds
- Introduction to organic chemistry
- Hydrocarbons, alkanes and alkenes
- Halogenoalkanes and alcohols
Section 5: Modern analytical techniques, kinetics and equilibrium
- Modern analytical techniques 1
- Kinetics 1
- A case study in kinetics
- Equilibrium 1
- A case study in equilibrium
Study AS level Chemistry with us and benefit from:
- Flexible learning
- Support from a personal tutor by email, phone or Skype
- Any time enrolment
- Our exam booking service
- Assignments with tutor feedback
- Ongoing support from Student Support
- Forums to discuss your course with other students
learn@nec
Choose when and where you access your course, using learn@nec our 24/7 learning platform.
This easy-to-use learning platform includes interactive checkpoints, quizzes and activities to help you evaluate your progress.
You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.
Meet Jane who is just one of our first-class chemistry tutors:
“I have taught for NEC since the late 1970s on maths, sciences and engineering courses and have also been a tutor for the Open University in technology. Each student has different goals and I aim to help everyone succeed. When students find themselves in difficulty with their course, I endeavour to show them clearly the way to reach the correct answer. I have a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and engineering. I have conducted research in chemistry and engineering and have a PhD in the latter. I completed the adult teaching qualification Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (now called Education and Training Level 3). I live in East Anglia.”
Exam board
- Edexcel 8CH0
Format
- Online learning with support from a personal tutor
Hours
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 120-150* hours plus time for completing assignments
*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams and some courses like English literature involve a lot of reading. Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect to spend longer than 150 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame or may be less if you are retaking a subject and have covered a lot of of the course content.
Assignments
- 6 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade
Resources
Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:
- Hunt, A, Curtis, G et al, Edexcel A level Chemistry (Year 1 and Year 2) Hodder Education (2019)
Additional texts:
- Maths Skills for A level Chemistry, D McGowan and E Poole, Nelson Thornes, 2013
Requirements
- Internet access
- Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec
Our course fees are open and honest to help you plan for any additional costs.
Your course fee includes:
- Access to learn@nec
- All the course materials you need to complete the course
- Support from a personal tutor for up to 24 months from your date of enrolment
- Assignment marking
- Marking for one past paper
- Guaranteed exam place
- free e-book version of the essential textbooks
- NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
- Time planner to help you plan your study timetable
- Information on how to apply for exams
Your course fee does not cover:
- Exam entry fees
- Additional textbooks
- Equipment for core practicals
Optional extras:
- Additional past paper marking
- Revision tutorial
- Optional tutorial
- Additional review
- UCAS application service
Two exams:
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of marks
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of marks
- The AS level exams are written, with no practical element, but throughout the exam you will be expected to use your understanding of practical theory to answer questions. You will have gained this knowledge through the 8 core practicals within your course.
Non-exam assessment (NEA):
- None
We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. In our experience learning online works best when either a parent or guardian are involved. This is why NEC has developed our unique Progress Tracker to help you to support your child.
NEC’s Progress Tracker will allow you to easily track your child’s progress across their subjects and gain insight to how well they are doing through access to their assignment grades and tutor feedback.
Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.
Would you like to talk to our Course Advice Team about the best route for you? Visit our Contact Us page, fill in the form and a member of the team will get back to you!
