What Is A Level Electronics?

If you’re interested in science or a career in engineering, A Level Electronics is worth considering.

Currently offered by WJEC, the course teaches you the principles and applications of electronics. You’ll also complete a practical component. 

This guide explains what the course covers, who offers it, how it's assessed, and where it can lead to in the future.

Key Takeaways

• WJEC (Eduqas (opens in a new tab) in England and CBAC (opens in a new tab) in Wales) is currently the only exam board offering A Level Electronics

• Assessment is made up of three components, including a non-exam assessment (NEA)

• The course is maths-heavy and pairs well with A Level Maths and Physics

• It opens routes to degrees such as Electronics and Engineering, as well as careers in electrical engineering, computer engineering and robotics

What is A Level Electronics?

A Level Electronics is a course that teaches you the principles and applications of electronics, both in theory and in practice. It is a technical and scientific qualification that requires mathematical knowledge and skills.

Which exam board offers A Level Electronics?

WJEC (Eduqas in England and CBAC in Wales) is currently the only exam board offering A Level Electronics. 

Not all sixth forms offer it, so check with your school if it’s available. If it’s not and you still want to study it, see if any local colleges offer it.

What do you study in A Level Electronics?

WJEC Eduqas and CBAC both include core concepts in the following topics:

1. System synthesis

2. DC Electrical circuits

3. Input and output sub-systems

4. Energy and power

How is A Level Electronics assessed?

WJEC Eduqas and CBAC both use the same assessment structure:

Is there a lot of Maths in A Level Electronics?

Yes. Required skills include recognising and using expressions in decimal and standard form; estimating results; using calculators to find reciprocals; using an appropriate number of significant figures; making order of magnitude calculations; and changing the subject of an equation.

If you struggled with GCSE Higher Maths, you'll find A Level Electronics tough. Most successful students take A Level Maths alongside Electronics, and many also take A Level Physics.

Do you need GCSE Electronics or D&T Electronics to take A Level Electronics?

Technically no, but the course builds on the foundation laid at GCSE. It therefore helps to know what GCSE Electronics is.

GCSE Design and Technology also helps, but isn’t strictly necessary.

Strong grades in GCSE Physics and Maths will be useful for the course’s mathematical requirements.

Refer to our guide on preparing for A Levels after GCSE for practical strategies to navigate the jump.

How hard is A Level Electronics?

Since Maths and Physics are both included in the list of hardest A Levels, it’s safe to say that A Level Electronics is considerably hard. It incorporates both of these subjects, especially maths, and students often find all three components tricky for different reasons.

Component 1 and Component 2 are both lengthy written exams at 2 hours 45 minutes, and they include complex elements like circuits, diagrams and tables. The conceptual side of these components can be tricky for some.

The NEA can also be difficult: it involves designing and programming, and can be hard to balance with your other A Levels.

For students who already enjoy electronics and have strong mathematical skills, it's a genuinely rewarding course.

See our guide on whether A Level Electronics is hard for honest, detailed insights on the difficulty level of the course.

What can you do with A Level Electronics?

Here are just some of the pathways A Level Electronics can open up for you:

Further Study

• Degrees in Electronics, Engineering and Computing

• Combined degrees with subjects like Maths and Physics

Careers

• Electrical engineering

• Computer engineering

• Robotics

Where can you take A Level Electronics if your school doesn't offer it?

Because WJEC is the only exam board offering A Level Electronics, it’s relatively rare. Many students therefore need an external route into the qualification. Some options are listed below:

• Distance learning providers like Study Rocket (opens in a new tab)

• Specialist sixth-form colleges, e.g. Cirencester (opens in a new tab)

• Private tutoring with specialist Electronics tutors

If you can’t take it at school, you’ll need to register as an external candidate to take the A Level privately. 

A combination of self-study and tutoring works especially well.

Is A Level Electronics right for you?

If you enjoyed GCSE Electronics (and/or Physics and Maths) and are interested in further study or a career in electronics, A Level Electronics is truly worth considering.

If you’re not a fan of electronics, practical components or maths and science, it’s likely not for you. A Level Physics is a better option if you want a broader science A Level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Level Electronics respected by universities for engineering applications?

Yes, as it’s an applied science that pairs well with A Level Maths and Physics.

It's particularly valued for degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Engineering.

Do you need A Level Maths to take A Level Electronics?

Technically no, but A Level Maths works particularly well alongside A Level Electronics. Without it, you'd be working harder to meet the course’s mathematical requirements.

Is there coursework in A Level Electronics?

Yes. Component 3 is a practical NEA worth around 20% of your final grade. You identify a real-world problem, design an electronic solution, build a working prototype, test it, and document the process. It runs across most of Year 13 alongside the two written exam papers.

Is A Level Electronics the same as A Level Computer Science?

No. The two overlap in areas like data use and programming, but they're separate qualifications with different areas of focus.

A Level Electronics is about the principles and applications of electronics. A Level Computer Science, on the other hand, focuses on how computers work, how systems are built and how data is shared securely. 

Some students take both, but many engineering applicants pair Electronics with Maths and Physics rather than Computer Science.

If you’re interested in electronics, maths and physics, A Level Electronics could be for you. It’s one of the best A Levels for engineering degrees and careers.

Check if your school offers it and consider using a distance learning provider if not.