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Edexcel
International
A Level
Chemistry
The Pearson Edexcel International A Level Chemistry is a globally recognised qualification designed for students studying outside the UK. Comparable in content and standard to the UK A Level, it offers a modular structure that gives international students flexibility over when and how they sit their exams – with assessment windows in January, June and October each year. Whether you are aiming for the full IAL or the standalone International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS), this page covers everything you need to know about the qualification, its structure, and what each unit involves.
Two Qualifications, One Specification
International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS)
The IAS consists of Units 1, 2 and 3. It is a standalone qualification that can be awarded on completion of these three units alone – and it also contributes 50% towards the full International Advanced Level. Students who complete the IAS have the option to stop there or continue to the full IAL.
International Advanced Level (IAL)
The full IAL requires all six units – the three IAS units (Units 1, 2 and 3) plus the three IA2 units (Units 4, 5 and 6). The IAS contributes 50% of the final IAL grade. This is the qualification required for entry to medicine, chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, and most science degrees at UK universities.
Modular Flexibility
Unlike the linear UK A Level, Edexcel International A Level Chemistry units can be sat in separate exam sessions – January, June or October – allowing students to spread assessments across the year. Each unit can also be retaken to improve a grade, giving international and independent students greater control over their results.
Study Edexcel International A Level Chemistry with OLS
OLS courses are built exclusively around the Edexcel International A Level Chemistry specification – with recorded lessons, interactive study notes, Edexcel exam question practice, and specialist-marked assignments for every unit.
View CoursesUnit 1 – Structure, Bonding And Introduction To Organic Chemistry
Covers Topics 1-5: formulae, equations, amount of substance, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, introductory organic chemistry, alkanes and alkenes.
Assessed through multiple-choice, short-open, open-response and calculation questions, with at least 18 marks for Level 2 mathematics.
Unit 2 – Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes And Alcohols
Covers Topics 6-10: energetics, intermolecular forces, redox, Groups 1, 2 and 7, kinetics, equilibria, alcohols, halogenoalkanes and spectra.
Includes multiple-choice, short-open, extended-response and contemporary-context questions, with possible synoptic links to Unit 1.
Unit 3 – Practical Skills In Chemistry I
Assesses practical understanding from Units 1 and 2, including planning, apparatus, data handling, analysis and application to familiar and unfamiliar experiments.
Covers Core Practicals 1-8, including gas volume measurement, Hess’s Law, titration, halogenoalkane hydrolysis, alcohol oxidation and unknown analysis.
International Advanced Subsidiary – Units 1, 2 And 3
The IAS is the first half of the Edexcel International A Level. It includes two content papers and one practical-skills paper, with modular exam availability in January, June and October.
International A2 – Units 4, 5 And 6
IA2 completes the full International A Level. Units 4 and 5 extend the physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, while Unit 6 assesses advanced practical skills.
Unit 4 – Rates, Equilibria And Further Organic Chemistry
Covers Topics 11-15: kinetics, entropy, energetics, equilibria, acid-base chemistry, carbonyls, carboxylic acids and chirality.
Includes multiple-choice, short-open, extended-response and data/calculation questions, with synoptic links to Units 1 and 2.
Unit 5 – Transition Metals And Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
Covers Topics 16-20: redox equilibria, transition metals, arenes, amines, amides, amino acids, proteins and organic synthesis.
Assessed through multiple-choice, short-open, extended-response and contemporary-context questions, with synoptic links across earlier units.
Unit 6 – Practical Skills In Chemistry II
Assesses advanced practical understanding from Units 4 and 5, including planning, data analysis, risk management and interpretation of experimental evidence.
Covers Core Practicals 9-16, including rate studies, activation energy, weak acid analysis, electrochemical cells, redox titrations, transition metal complexes and aspirin preparation.
Take the Full IAL if…
Edexcel IAL – YCH11You need chemistry for university entry, particularly for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, chemical engineering or any science degree. Most UK and international universities require the full IAL, not the IAS alone. If chemistry is a prerequisite for your intended course, the full IAL is the qualification you need.
Take the IAS if…
Edexcel IAS – YCH10You want a recognised chemistry qualification without committing to the full two-year course. The IAS is a standalone award, accepted by some universities and employers, and useful for students who wish to demonstrate chemistry knowledge at Advanced Subsidiary level. It also serves as the first half of the Edexcel International A Level Chemistry if you choose to continue later.
Study Edexcel International A Level Chemistry with OLS
OLS courses are built exclusively around the Edexcel International A Level Chemistry specification – with recorded lessons, interactive study notes, Edexcel exam question practice, and specialist marked assignments for every unit.
View Courses
Official Specification
The official Pearson Edexcel International A Level Chemistry specification – covering all six units, assessment structure, topic content, and the core practical activities. Essential reading for any IAL Chemistry student.
Edexcel IAL Chemistry Specification →Past Papers & Mark Schemes
The official Pearson past paper repository for Edexcel International A Level Chemistry – including exam papers, mark schemes and examiner reports from all available series.
Edexcel IAL Past Papers →Chemistry Reference Library
LibreTexts Chemistry is a free, open-access chemistry library covering a wide range of topics at A Level and beyond, useful for deeper reading and alternative explanations of difficult concepts.
LibreTexts Chemistry →