Course Overview

Discover how the universe works with our flexible International A level Physics course—designed for global learners with aspirations in science, technology, or engineering.

International A level Physics offers a fascinating journey into the laws of nature—from the tiniest particles to the vastness of space. It’s a subject that blends deep theoretical understanding with real-world applications, sparking curiosity and scientific thinking.

This course covers a wide range of topics including mechanics, electricity, waves, quantum physics, and thermodynamics. You’ll develop strong problem-solving, mathematical, and analytical skills that are highly valued in fields like engineering, data science, medicine, and space exploration.

Designed with flexibility in mind, this NEC distance learning course is ideal for international learners preparing for university or STEM careers. Supported by expert tutors and tailored to your pace, it provides a solid foundation for further study in physics and beyond.

  • elearning icon

    Interactive course

  • 1:1 tutor support

International A level Physics at a glance

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Exam board

Edexcel YPH11

course resources icon
Resources

Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Hudson, Miles (2020) Pearson Edexcel International AS Level Physics Student Book, VitalSource
  • Hudson, Miles (2020) Pearson Edexcel International A level Physics Student Book, VitalSourc
course requirements icon
Requirements

An (I)GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and Physics or Double/Triple Science is recommended

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.

course assignments icon
Assignments
  • 11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade
  • 16 core practicals

 

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

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UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There are no academic requirements for this course.

Course materials are written in English so a good level of written English is required.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (six):

Unit 1, 2 and 3 (Paper 1, 2 and 3 below) are IAS Units. Units 4, 5 and 6 (Paper 4, 5 and 6 below) are IAL Units. Students must sit all six units to gain the A level qualification.

  • Paper 1: Mechanics and materials
  • Paper 2: Waves and electricity
  • Paper 3: Practical skills in Physics I
  • Paper 4: Further mechanics, fields and particles
  • Paper 5: Thermodynamics, radiation, oscillations and cosmology
  • Paper 6: Practical skills in Physics II
course exam board icon
Exam board

Edexcel YPH11

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There are no academic requirements for this course.

Course materials are written in English so a good level of written English is required.

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

course requirements icon
Requirements

An (I)GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and Physics or Double/Triple Science is recommended

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (six):

Unit 1, 2 and 3 (Paper 1, 2 and 3 below) are IAS Units. Units 4, 5 and 6 (Paper 4, 5 and 6 below) are IAL Units. Students must sit all six units to gain the A level qualification.

  • Paper 1: Mechanics and materials
  • Paper 2: Waves and electricity
  • Paper 3: Practical skills in Physics I
  • Paper 4: Further mechanics, fields and particles
  • Paper 5: Thermodynamics, radiation, oscillations and cosmology
  • Paper 6: Practical skills in Physics II
course assignments icon
Assignments
  • 11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade
  • 16 core practicals

 

course resources icon
Resources

Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Hudson, Miles (2020) Pearson Edexcel International AS Level Physics Student Book, VitalSource
  • Hudson, Miles (2020) Pearson Edexcel International A level Physics Student Book, VitalSourc
course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

education icon
UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course exam board icon
Exam board

Edexcel YPH11

course resources icon
Resources

Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Hudson, Miles (2020) Pearson Edexcel International AS Level Physics Student Book, VitalSource
  • Hudson, Miles (2020) Pearson Edexcel International A level Physics Student Book, VitalSourc
course requirements icon
Requirements

An (I)GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and Physics or Double/Triple Science is recommended

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.

course assignments icon
Assignments
  • 11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade
  • 16 core practicals

 

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

education icon
UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There are no academic requirements for this course.

Course materials are written in English so a good level of written English is required.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (six):

Unit 1, 2 and 3 (Paper 1, 2 and 3 below) are IAS Units. Units 4, 5 and 6 (Paper 4, 5 and 6 below) are IAL Units. Students must sit all six units to gain the A level qualification.

  • Paper 1: Mechanics and materials
  • Paper 2: Waves and electricity
  • Paper 3: Practical skills in Physics I
  • Paper 4: Further mechanics, fields and particles
  • Paper 5: Thermodynamics, radiation, oscillations and cosmology
  • Paper 6: Practical skills in Physics II

Why study International A level Physics

Future opportunities

  • studying physics or STEM subjects at university.
  • Physics develops a unique skill set, well suited to a diverse range of careers in fields such as biotechnology, astronomy, meteorology, medicine, astrophysics, radiography, nanotechnology, climate science, engineering, computer science, journalism, architecture and teaching.
  • according to the Institute of Physics, graduates with a physics degree earn more due to their highly transferable and valued skill set.
Course content

What you’ll learn…

Section 1

Mechanics

  • Maths help
  • Velocity and acceleration
  • Summing forces and the principles of moments
  • Newton’s laws and the equations of motion
  • Resolving forces and projectiles
  • Work, energy and power
  • Momentum
  • Summary
Section 2

Materials

  • Maths help
  • Fluids, density and upthrust
  • Liquids in motion and viscosity
  • Hooke’s Law
  • Young Modulus, stress and strain
  • Summary
Section 3

Waves

  • Maths help
  • Introduction to waves
  • Phase and the superposition of waves
  • Diffraction and interference
  • Refraction and total internal reflection
  • Polarisation
  • Wave-particle duality and photoelectric effect
  • Electron diffraction
  • Atomic spectra
Section 4

Electricity

  • Maths help
  • Electricity: the basics
  • Resistivity and resistance
  • Series and parallel circuits
  • The potential divider
  • E.m.f. And internal resistance
  • Electric power
SECTION 5

Experimental skills and consolidation

  • Maths help
  • Reducing errors
  • Accurate measurement
  • Describing an experiment
  • Refractive index in the water
  • Elasticity of a rubber band
  • Galileo’s experiment
SECTION 6

Further mechanics and electric fields

  • Maths help
  • Further momentum: collisions
  • Circular motion
  • Electric fields
  • Radial fields and Coulomb’s Law
  • Capacitors
  • Summary
SECTION 7

Magnetic fields and particle physics

  • Maths help
  • Electromagnetic effects
  • Probing matter
  • Particle accelerators and detectors
  • The Particle Zoo
  • Particle interactions
  • Summary
SECTION 8

Thermodynamics and nuclear decay

  • Maths help
  • Heat and temperature
  • Ideal gases
  • Nuclear radiation
  • Radioactive decay
  • Fission and fusion
  • Summary
SECTION 9

Oscillations, astrophysics and cosmology

  • Maths help
  • Simple harmonic motion
  • Energy transfers in simple harmonic motion
  • Resonance and damping
  • Gravitational fields
  • Stellar radiation and classification
  • Distances to the stars
  • The age and fate of the Universe
  • Summary
SECTION 10

Practical skills

  • Maths help
  • Home experiment 4: The motion of a pendulum
  • Home experiment 5: Measuring viscosity using the falling sphere
  • Home experiment 6: The specific latent heat of fusion of ice
  • Summary

    Affordable study

    Flexible payments and financial help

    • As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
    • NEC’s fees for A levels offer some of the best value on the market, with multi-buy options, special offers, personal discounts, and affordable finance options.
    • Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
    • Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.

    Visit our Fee information page or

    Talk to an advisor
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    Monthly instalments

    Study now, pay your way

    It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 month repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.

    To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.

    The National Extension College (NEC) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and repayment plans see our Fee Information page.

    Course fee £730
    Deposit £73
    Amount of credit £657
    Monthly payment £54.75
    Duration 12 months
    Total repayment £730
    Cost of credit £0.00
    Rate of interest 0% APR representative

    Purchasing more than one A level? Use voucher code ALMB10 to receive 10% off at checkout.

    Help when you need it

    Additional support for under 18s

    We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. NEC’s unique Progress Tracker makes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view tutor feedback to ensure effective learning.

    Our approach to home study
    Need help choosing?

    Talk to one of our course advisors

    Still unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?

    Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.

    • Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
    • Or contact us today by phone or email.

    We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.

    Talk to a course advisor

    Frequently asked questions

    Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQ

    NEC offers flexible, online GCSEs, A levels, and vocational courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.

    You’ll be supported by a qualified subject tutor who provides feedback on your assignments and helps guide your progress. Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.

    Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule. Others may include set dates — especially for things like exams or NEAs (Non-Exam Assessment) — to help you stay on track.

    Yes! You can connect with other learners in your course’s online forum. Many students find discussing topics with peers helps reinforce their learning — and helps them feel part of a wider learning community.

    Yes. Most NEC courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You’ll earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.

    We’re also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.

    Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don’t lead to formal accreditation.

    Yes, NEC is a JCQ-approved exam centre, which means we can support your exam entry, provide verified access arrangements, and oversee non-exam assessments (NEAs) — essential for subjects like English, Science and Geography.

    Yes. Many students complete a one-year fast track option, especially if working towards university or career deadlines. You’ll need to commit regular study time and plan carefully around assignment deadlines and exams.

    If you’re unsure whether fast track is realistic, we’ll advise you.

    Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you’ll need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA — Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates — so don’t leave it too late!

    If you’re planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you’ll need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.

    Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.

    Yes — NEC is ideal for international students. Many of our courses are available worldwide, but there are a few things to check before enrolling:

    Exams: You’ll need to arrange a local exam centre. AQA does not offer international exams, so you’ll need to travel to the UK for those.

    Qualification recognition: Ensure your chosen qualification is recognised in your country.

    Our team is happy to help you explore your options.

    We teach you the core practicals that you need to be familiar with for your exam. This varies by course, but each core practical typically includes a method, list of equipment and some sample results. You can have a go at some of these practicals safely at home – we will let you know when this is the case. If the experiment is not safe to complete at home, or if you don’t want to complete the experiment yourself, our detailed description of the investigation will give you the information you need. Where appropriate, we also link videos demonstrating the experiment.

    People who study International A level Physics also take…

    Purchasing more than one A level? Use voucher code ALMB10 to receive 10% off at checkout.