A Level Biology

Please apply via PS16. Any applications received by 31/1/25 are guaranteed an interview in February - April 2025, as long as minimum entry requirements are met. Offers are made after interview.

AS and first year of A-level

1. Biological molecules

2. Cells

3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment

4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Second year of A-level

5. Energy transfers in and between organisms

6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems 8. The control of gene expression

Core Mathematics:

As this subject contains elements of mathematical content within its specification and assessments, we strongly advise that you should also elect to take the Core Mathematics course to support your studies (if not already taking A Level Mathematics). The Core Mathematics course is a one-year course specifically designed for this purpose. You would still need to pick three main Level 3 subjects plus Core Mathematics. Please see the Core Mathematics information sheet for more details.

Biology, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course you will carry out practical activities including:

• using microscopes to see cell division

• dissection of animal or plant systems

• aseptic technique to study microbial growth

• investigating activity within cells

• investigating animal behaviours

• investigating distributions of species in the environment.

These practicals will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way living things behave and work. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a Biology-based subject at university, you’ll have the practical skills needed to carry out successful experiments in your degree.

There is no coursework on this course. However, your performance during practical's will be assessed. There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Biology are based on what you learned in your practical's.

GCSE Grade 6-6 in Combined Science (grade 7-7 if Chemistry or Physics is also being taken) or a 6 in GCSE Biology and a minimum Grade 5 in GCSE Maths is also necessary

Progression onto University degree in Biological related subjects and careers including:

Biotechnologist, Higher education lecturer, Marine biologist, Microbiologist, Nanotechnologist, Nature conservation officer, Pharmacologist, Research scientist (life sciences), Scientific laboratory technician, Secondary school teacher, Soil scientist, Teaching laboratory technician, Animal physiotherapist, Dental hygienist, Dentist, General practice doctor, Health promotion specialist, Healthcare scientist, cardiac sciences Physician associate, Science writer, Sustainability consultant, Veterinary nurse, Zoologist, Pathology, Forensics