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Welcome to CAS Key Stage 5 (16-18 years)

AS and A Level courses build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established at key stage 4 and encourage students to develop a broad range of the knowledge, understanding and skills of computing, as a basis for progression into further learning and/or employment.

AS and A level specifications in computer science must encourage students to develop:

  • an understanding of, and the 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 (to express computational laws and processes)
  • the ability to articulate the individual (moral), social (ethical), legal and cultural opportunities and risks of digital technology

Some students will study other courses at KS5. This may be BTECs, T-Levels or AAQs. Some courses include:

  • Pearson's T-Level in Digital Production Design and Development
  • Upcoming AAQs

Looking for help and guidance? Our communities can help with that...

A Level Community

We have a virtual community set up to support teachers of A-Level Computer Science. Join us and attend our meetings to access new resources, share experiences and hear from guest speakers.

Join the A Level Community

Vocational Qualifications Community

This community focuses on qualifications such as T-Levels and AAQs but covers all vocational qualifications. Join us for online meetings and communicate with other community members.

Join the Vocational Community

Talk to our friends... 

Here is a selection of trusted organisations who will also support you in teaching computing at key stage 3:

Ada Computer Science

Ada is a free online Computer Science platform for teachers and students.

Through Ada you can access Computer Science resources for GCSE and A-Level including interactive coding questions for Python, C#, VB and Java. 

Create an Ada account here

Video content and slide narration for theoretical topics in A Level Computer Science

Craig 'n' Dave free video resources

Create collections of past exam questions and answers from selected topics

Bit Learner

Interactive resoruces for Python including data structures

Runestone Academy

Interactive Python programming exercises with progress view for teachers

Snakify

Visualisations of data structures and algorithms

Visualgo

Exam Board Specifications

The links below will take you to the Computer Science exam board specifications for each awarding body: