AS and A-level Computer Science (7516 - 7517) Specification - Version 1.6 - Teaching from September 2015

Oct 20, 2026

AS and A-level Computer Science specifications for AQA (7516/7517) outline the curriculum structure, assessment aims, objectives, and administration for both AS and A-level courses. The document explains how to teach and prepare learners, including subject content areas such as programming, data structures, theory of computation, data representation, computer systems, communication and networking, and A-level topics like databases, Big Data, and functional programming. It also sets guidance on non-exam assessment, moderation, standardisation, entries, codes, grades, reporting, resits, access arrangements, and working with AQA.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages122

Reading Time5 h 7 min

AccessFree to download

1 Introduction

1.1 Why choose AQA for AS and A-level Computer Science

1.2 Support and resources to help you teach

2 Specification at a glance

2.1 AS

2.2 A-level

3 Subject content – AS

3.1 Fundamentals of programming

3.2 Fundamentals of data structures

3.3 Systematic approach to problem solving

3.4 Theory of computation

3.5 Fundamentals of data representation

3.6 Fundamentals of computer systems

3.7 Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture

3.8 Consequences of uses of computing

3.9 Fundamentals of communication and networking

4 Subject content – A-level

4.1 Fundamentals of programming

4.2 Fundamentals of data structures

4.3 Fundamentals of algorithms

4.4 Theory of computation

4.5 Fundamentals of data representation

4.6 Fundamentals of computer systems

4.7 Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture

4.8 Consequences of uses of computing

4.9 Fundamentals of communication and networking

4.10 Fundamentals of databases

4.11 Big Data

4.12 Fundamentals of functional programming

4.13 Systematic approach to problem solving

4.14 Non-exam assessment-the computing practical project

5 Scheme of assessment

5.1 Aims

5.2 Assessment objectives

5.3 Assessment weightings

6 Non-exam assessment administration

6.1 Supervising and authenticating

6.2 Avoiding malpractice

6.3 Teacher standardisation

6.4 Internal standardisation

6.5 Annotation

6.6 Submitting marks

6.7 Factors affecting individual students

6.8 Keeping students' work

6.9 Moderation

6.10 After moderation

7 General administration

7.1 Entries and codes

7.2 Overlaps with other qualifications

7.3 Awarding grades and reporting results

7.4 Re-sits and shelf life

7.5 Previous learning and prerequisites

7.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion

7.7 Working with AQA for the first time

7.8 Private candidates

| AS ANDA-LEVEL
COMPUTER SCIENCE
AS (7516)
A-level (7517) | | --- | | Specifications
For teaching from September 2015 onwards For AS exams in May/June 2016 onwards For A-level exams in May/June 2017 onwards | Version 1.6 31 July 2023 Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Why choose AQA for AS and A-level Computer Science 5 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 6 2 Specification at a glance 8 2.1 AS 8 2.2 A-level 9 3 Subject content – AS 11 3.1 Fundamentals of programming 11 3.2 Fundamentals of data structures 16 3.3 Systematic approach to problem solving 16 3.4 Theory of computation 18 3.5 Fundamentals of data representation 21 3.6 Fundamentals of computer systems 29 3.7 Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture 32 3.8 Consequences of uses of computing 37 3.9 Fundamentals of communication and networking 38 4 Subject content – A-level 41 4.1 Fundamentals of programming 41 4.2 Fundamentals of data structures 47 4.3 Fundamentals of algorithms 52 4.4 Theory of computation 54 4.5 Fundamentals of data representation 63 4.6 Fundamentals of computer systems 72 4.7 Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture 76 4.8 Consequences of uses of computing 81 4.9 Fundamentals of communication and networking 82 4.10 Fundamentals of databases 88 4.11 Big Data 90 4.12 Fundamentals of functional programming 91 4.13 Systematic approach to problem solving 95 4.14 Non-exam assessment-the computing practical project 96 5 Scheme of assessment 111 5.1 Aims 111 5.2 Assessment objectives 112 5.3 Assessment weightings 112 6 Non-exam assessment administration 115 6.1 Supervising and authenticating 115 6.2 Avoiding malpractice 116 6.3 Teacher standardisation 116 6.4 Internal standardisation 116 6.5 Annotation 117 6.6 Submitting marks 117 6.7 Factors affecting individual students 117 6.8 Keeping students' work 118 6.9 Moderation 118 6.10 After moderation 118 7 General administration 119 7.1 Entries and codes 119 7.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 120 7.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 120 7.4 Re-sits and shelf life 120 7.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 120 7.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 120 7.7 Working with AQA for the first time 121 7.8 Private candidates 121 Are you using the latest version of this specification? • You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at • We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification. 1 Introduction 1.1 Why choose AQA for AS and A-level Computer Science Relevant to the classroom and the real world Advances in computing are transforming the way we work and our new Computer Science specifications are changing with the times. We’ve worked closely with teachers to develop our popular qualifications, refreshing the content where needed but retaining the most popular and effective aspects of the previous specifications. This evolutionary approach has built on strong foundations to deliver flexible, accessible and rigorous qualifications, backed by top quality support, resources and professional development. Without the need for huge changes we’re delighted to present up-to-date specifications that focus on the knowledge, understanding and skills students need to progress to higher education or thrive in the workplace. A qualification for all abilities at AS and A-level You’ll find these specifications suitable and appropriate for mixed ability classes – and we’ve helped to minimise the impact on classroom delivery, resourcing and timetabling by ensuring that you can teach AS and A-level together. This will help to make the transition to the new specifications smoother and our schemes of work will show you how the two levels can be taught together. Assessment you can trust Like you, we are committed to ensuring that students obtain the results they deserve and are ca

FAQs

What are the main subject content areas in the AS specification?

The AS specification covers fundamentals of programming, data structures, systematic problem-solving, theory of computation, data representation, computer systems, organisation and architecture, consequences of uses of computing, and communication and networking.

What additional topics are included at A-level beyond AS?

A-level expands into algorithms and adds topics including databases, Big Data, fundamentals of functional programming, and the A-level non-exam assessment computing practical project, alongside the core areas.

How is non-exam assessment administered and quality assured?

Non-exam assessment administration includes supervising and authenticating work, avoiding malpractice, teacher and internal standardisation, annotation, submitting marks, handling factors affecting individual students, keeping students’ work, moderation, and actions after moderation.

Oct 20, 2026

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