International AS & A Level
Computer Science
2026 specification: IAS first examined in June 2027; IAL assessment rollout follows in 2028
The 2026/2027 manual lists XCP01 and WCP01/WCP02 in June 2027 only. YCP01 and WCP03/WCP04 have no available series in that manual window. The Issue 1 specification schedules all four units from June 2028.
StudyForA coverage: Planned
Original teaching and guided, independent and application practice have not yet been mapped for this entry. Official links below are resources, not completed StudyForA lessons.
Specialist review is pending. Self-check answers are learning support, not official exam marks or proof of mastery. Practical, oral, performance and coursework requirements, where applicable, need appropriate teacher or centre supervision and assessment.
Examination-year entries: 2026–2027
Pearson Qualifications Information Manual 2026/2027 · pages 6 ↗
These entries were checked on 2026-10-17. Confirm the current rules and your centre’s eligibility before making an examination entry.
Award codes and required units
- XCP01 · Computer Science · International AS
WCP01, WCP02, plus the appropriate cash-in entry.
Listed award series: June 2027.
Teaching: Planned.
- YCP01 · Computer Science · International A Level
WCP01, WCP02, WCP03, WCP04, plus the appropriate cash-in entry.
Listed award series: None in this manual window.
Teaching: Planned.
Paper and unit entry options
- WCP01 · Unit 1: Principles of Computer Science (paper-based)
Listed series: June 2027.
- WCP01 · C · Unit 1: Principles of Computer Science (onscreen option C)
Listed series: June 2027.
- WCP02 · Unit 2: Practical Programming and Problem-solving (practical programming)
Listed series: June 2027.
- WCP03 · Unit 3: Advanced Principles of Computer Science (paper-based)
Listed series: None in this manual window.
- WCP03 · C · Unit 3: Advanced Principles of Computer Science (onscreen option C)
Listed series: None in this manual window.
- WCP04 · Unit 4: Advanced Practical Programming and Problem-solving (practical programming)
Listed series: None in this manual window.
Which contributing units run in each series?
An available award cash-in does not mean all its units are offered in that series.
- WCP01 · Unit 1: Principles of Computer Science
Listed unit series: June 2027.
- WCP02 · Unit 2: Practical Programming and Problem-solving
Listed unit series: June 2027.
- WCP03 · Unit 3: Advanced Principles of Computer Science
Listed unit series: None in this manual window.
- WCP04 · Unit 4: Advanced Practical Programming and Problem-solving
Listed unit series: None in this manual window.
- A cash-in entry is required for a qualification grade. Banked units and resits remain subject to the current entry and aggregation rules.
- Award and entry listings are reconciled for this manual window; full specification-topic teaching, practice and assessment-route review remain outstanding.
- The C entry option is the onscreen alternative where listed; it is not an additional contributing unit. Confirm the assessment format and centre provision before entry.
- No IAL award or IA2 unit series is listed for October 2026, January 2027 or June 2027. A known award code does not mean it can be cashed in during this window.
- Practical programming and onscreen assessment require appropriate centre provision and current assessment instructions. StudyForA teaching and programming practice remain planned.
Specification edition checked
Official specification · Issue 1 ↗
Edition, award codes, assessment rollout and delivery formats checked; full syllabus teaching and practice mapping remain outstanding.
Confirm your specification and entry
The 2026–2027 IAL entry manual excludes candidates studying in the UK.
Confirm the award, unit combination, examination year and centre eligibility. Listing in the catalogue alone does not establish that every unit is available in every examination series.
Open Pearson’s official qualification page ↗
Specification document links found on the official page
Check each document’s title, edition and examination-year applicability. A discovered link does not mean every version is mapped here.
Book editions and official resource mappings for this entry remain to be reconciled.