A-Level Programme - BTEC in Applied Science (AAQ)

This qualification has been developed by Pearson in consultation with universities and sector experts to ensure that you'll gain the knowledge and skills required to progress into higher education.

This subject is ideal if you plan to progress into higher education - whether in pure science (like biology or chemistry) or broader STEM fields.

What will I study on this course?

• Principles and Applications of Biology; Understand cell structure, tissues, and core biological principles
• Principles and Applications of Chemistry; Learn chemical bonding, structure and reactions
• Principles and Applications of Physics; Dive into physical theories, mathematical applications and scientific analysis

You will need:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, Maths & Science

How long is this course?

2 years

When does this course start?

02/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

Full-time courses at CWA are generally 3 - 4 days per week (though you may be in for an extra day if you are resitting English and / or Maths). The college day is typically longer than a day at school and students will need to plan their individual study in their free time (including individual study hours which are recorded at college in the Learning Resource Centre or other study areas). Work experience will be a key component of your course and most students will complete a minimum of 60 hours per academic year (on top of their college hours), depending on the course they are studying. CWA has a dedicated team of work placement co-ordinators to support you with this.

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

What qualification will I achieve?

Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification in BTEC National in Applied Science (Extended Certificate)

How is my course assessed?

This subject is assessed through exams and practical tasks.

How many UCAS points can I achieve from this subject?

Our alternative academic qualifications which form part of our A-Level programme qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. For this subject, you could achieve up to 56 UCAS points (the UCAS tariff points from your other subjects will be added to this, too!) depending on how you are graded:

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.