Course Information
Our Biology course can be studied as either an AS level or as a full A level qualification. It provides the basis for a well-rounded understanding of modern biological science, from the micro to the macro-level.
The AS level course covers the fundamental aspects of biology, including cells, viruses and reproduction; biological molecules, classification and biodiversity, and exchange and transport.
If you study for the full A level, you’ll also learn about microbiology and pathogens, genetics, ecosystems, energy for biological processes, origins of genetic variation and control systems.
Together, these modules will help you to develop a knowledge of how biological processes work, deepening your understanding of topics like medicine and disease, evolution and natural selection, habitats and the environment.
The course includes 41 Lessons 14 Tutor-marked assignments and 5 practice exam papers.
Module 1: Molecules, Cells and Reproduction
- Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins and Ions
- Two Types of Cell
- Microscopy
- DNA, Protein Synthesis
- Mutations and Viruses
- Enzymes
- Cell Division, Sexual Reproduction
Module 2: Exchange, Transport and Diversity
- Surface Area, Volume and Exchange
- Osmosis
- Gas Exchange
- Circulation, Blood and Transport, Blood and Defence
- Plant Transport
- Classification
- Natural Selection, Biodiversity
Module 3: Energy, Pathogens and DNA
- Aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration
- Photosynthesis
- Pathogens, antibiotics and endemic diseases
- Response to infection
- Microbial techniques
- Gene expression and stem cells, gene sequencing and gene technology
Module 4: Genetics, Control and Ecosystems
- Mendelian genetics, population genetics
- Homeostasis and hormones
- Nervous systems
- Sight, synapses and control of heart rate
- Osmoregulation and temperature control
- Analysing ecosystems
- Changing ecosystems
Examining board and exams
The Biology A level course will prepare you for two Edexcel specifications:
- AS Biology B (Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Biology B): course code 8BIO
- A level Biology B (Advanced GCE in Biology B): course code 9BIO
The A level course is assessed by three written examinations:
- Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics (1 hour 45 minutes, 30% of final mark)
- Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology (1 hour 45 minutes, 30% of final mark)
- General and Practical Principles in Biology (2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of final mark)
Please note that this A level specification lists a number of practical skills to be internally assessed by teachers. The practical endorsement is recorded as a separate entity on your certificate and it does not contribute to your final grade. See the section on the Practical Endorsement for more details.
Online Course or Paper Based? Additional Tuition? It’s your choice!
All of our A level students receive:
- Traditional printed learning materials
- Access to our online resources with on-the-go access to all your regular lessons
- The support of a fully qualified teacher online and by phone
- You will have the same tutor through your course which will enable you to build a good working relationship. They generally work some evenings and weekends as well as through the holidays.
- You also have the choice of purchasing extra one to one tutor time on an ad hoc basis for those few occasions when you may feel you need it.
Meet Our Tutors
Once I gained a first class (hons) BSc in biomedical science, I was completely hooked so went on to complete a PhD in Microbiology where I researched ways to improve the diagnosis of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The method I developed is now used in microbiology diagnostic laboratories in hospitals throughout the world and marketed as ‘NTM Elite’.
I am a qualified science teacher and have worked in many secondary schools. I also teach on an undergraduate biomedical science course, something I am very enthusiastic about as it is the course I did myself.
Almost any career benefits from the enquiring, innovating and questioning mindset that comes from studying science and develops so many transferable skills.
Clair Preece
How much does it cost?
Our Biology A level course fee is £475 with a £95 deposit, payable in eight instalments of £47.50.
This support includes:
- Marking all assignments for the course
- Written answers to specific study problems
- Telephone contact, if required
- Additional tuition can be purchased
When you enrol with Oxford Home Schooling, we will agree on an intended examination date with you. The current default exam date is Summer 2026. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date, regardless of whether you decide to do the course in 12 months or 18. This is what your fee covers. If you wish to prolong the period of support and/or defer your examination date, new arrangements will need to be made.
What can I do with a Biology A level?
Biology A Level may be required for many Higher Education courses especially in medicine and healthcare. If you want to become a doctor, a vet, a pharmacist or a nurse for example, it’s a key subject that will lay the groundwork for your future studies.
However, there’s much more to Biology than this. Anyone who wants to study or work in the natural world – whether in agriculture, animal care, forestry or landscaping – will benefit from understanding the biological forces that cause changes in nature.
Biology also combines well with social sciences, including Archaeology, Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology. If you’re interested in criminal investigation, particularly forensics, a background in Biology and a good understanding of genetic theory will be useful.
Expertise in Biology can open up interesting new perspectives on other academic subjects, too, making it a good candidate for a combined degree. As well as the obvious core sciences – Chemistry and Physics, Biology may be combined with subjects like History, Astronomy and Climatology.
Of course, Biology isn’t just an academic discipline – it’s also a highly practical one. Even if you’re not planning on going into higher education yet, a good Biology A level will be useful for careers in:
- Food science and technology
- Sports
- Personal training
- Gardening and landscaping
- Conservation
- Health and safety
- Agriculture
Prerequisites
The specification assumes that you have obtained a grade 4 or above at (I)GCSE Biology or Double Award Science.
The Biology A level specification also assumes awareness of some of the Chemistry studied at (I)GCSE. This is covered by the course and textbook, but you will need to do some extra work if these ideas are new to you.
Mathematics – 10% of the marks are awarded for using Mathematics in a biological context. The level corresponds to the higher tier mathematics GCSE.
The relevant areas of Mathematics are covered by the course and a dedicated chapter of the textbook.
The Practical Endorsement
The Biology A level specification lists a number of practical skills to be internally assessed by teachers. This assessment leads to a statement of “practical competency” – simply a pass – which is reported alongside the grade on the final A level certificate. It is not necessary to obtain a statement of practical competency to obtain the qualification and students can opt out.
Most Oxford Open Learning Trust’s students don’t do the practical test but if you do wish to take it there are exam centres who are able to provide this service. It is expensive and also quite time consuming but for some FE situations it is required. Please speak to your student adviser who will be able to provide you with full information about entering for exams and a list of exam centres who can help.
Books
FAQs
Why should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
- Oxford Home Schooling is a long-established educational trust that prides itself on
- treating every student as an individual
- customer service
- course quality.
- We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot by students who have studied with us.
- We provide online and printed resources so you can study your way – other providers do not give you that choice.
- We make it easy for you to home-educate your children with our flexible schedule, tutor support, and interest-free payment plan.
- Every year we help hundreds of children who have left mainstream education obtain the qualifications they need to progress and achieve their goals.
- Oxford Home Schooling is part of a not-for-profit trust so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your child’s tuition or on improving our courses.
When can I enrol?
You can enrol any time you like, the earlier the better. The important thing to think about is when you wish to sit your exam and to give yourself plenty of time to work through your materials and revise successfully. Our cut-off date for enrolment varies slightly each year but it will be around mid October.
Once you have enrolled, you will get access to your course online immediately and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.
Can I complete the Biology A level exam in one year?
Our cut-off for enrolling on an A level Biology course for the following summer examination series is mid-October each year. So, yes, you can. However, remember that you will still need to fit around 700 hours of study time into your schedule before the examination. The earlier you enrol, the less study you must do each week!
When will I sit my exam?
The Biology A level exams are only offered in the Summer examination series which typically runs from mid-May to late June.
There are no winter A levels.
How and when do I book an exam?
The final date for booking summer exams with the exam board without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February. Please do not wait until February to book, you will find most places are full. You should book your place at an exam centre well in advance and we recommend that you start looking once the autumn term begins.
All the information you need to book an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find
- detailed instructions
- entry codes needed to book exams
- our map of examination centres where our students have been able to sit in previous years.
Tutors & Exams offers discounts to Oxford Home Schooling students and has nine current exam venues across the UK: Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
Pearson Edexcel also publishes a list of exam centres that accept private candidates. This won’t list every available centre, so if there’s nothing shown in your area, we recommend contacting local schools and colleges directly.
How much does a Biology A Level examination cost?
Your exam fees aren’t included in the course cost as they’re paid directly to the exam centre. They will vary depending on which centre you choose. Generally speaking, dedicated examination services will be more expensive than a local school or college. Prices range from £150 to £450 pounds for the exam itself.
Unfortunately, the practical fees can be over £1000.
What is the enrolment process?
First fill out our application form giving us and our tutors as much information as possible about your child. Once the application has been received and assessed by our admissions department, your Student Adviser will contact you to discuss and confirm your selections and to get you started.
Even at this stage you are not committed to anything. We want you to be comfortable with your choices and so we encourage questions and we do not employ any high pressure selling techniques.
Why is the practical so expensive?
To gain a pass in the practical endorsement requires several hours of work in a laboratory. Some laboratories allow this to happen over a weekend or a few days together, others spread the work over several weeks. Either way requires a lot of teaching and time.
Will I be disadvantaged by not having the practical endorsement?
That depends on why you need the qualification.
Anyone going on to do medicine or veterinary will probably need it but for other subjects like sports science or environmental studies you may not. The only way to be sure is to check the course requirements for what you want to do and remember it could also vary by college or uni.
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