Course information
Covering a broad range of topics, from cell and plant life to ecology and food production, the International GCSE Biology course is a popular choice for students who require a basic level of biological understanding before studying the topic at A level or for those who are simply curious about the natural world.
The course itself is made up of five modules.
- Module 1: Cells and Organisms
- Module 2: Plant and Animal Physiology A
- Module 3: Plant and Animal Physiology B
- Module 4: Inheritance
- Module 5: Ecology and Food Production
There are 23 lessons and 13 tutor-marked assessments, two of which are mock examinations. Each lesson is designed to challenge the student, while helping them to gain the knowledge demanded by the specification. Everything leads towards being fully prepared to sit and pass the exam. More comprehensive details of content can be found in the course introduction.
Practical Work
Throughout the course, there will be a mixture of both theoretical and practical science exercises.
There is no practical exam as such but the practical work throughout our course is there to develop your understanding ready for the practical-based components in the theory exams. You will find it very worthwhile to carry out this work yourself and it is designed to be perfectly feasible at home. It will greatly help your grasp of concepts.
Three of the lessons are devoted to the development of these skills.
The exam will include written questions on practical-based study and hands-on experience will be invaluable even though there is no dedicated examination.
Examinations and Assessment
The Oxford Home Schooling International GCSE Biology course matches the content of the Edexcel 4BI1 International GCSE specification for examination in summer 2025 and later years. There are two Biology exams;
The first – Paper 1 – is out of 120 marks and represents 61% of the final mark. This examination will last for two hours and covers the core topics only.
The second examination – Paper 2 – covers both the core and higher topics. This paper is out of 60 marks and lasts for 75 minutes.
Course duration and study time
When you enrol with Oxford Home Schooling we will agree on an intended examination date with you. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date, regardless of whether you decide to do the course in 9 months or 30.
The recommended number of study hours for this course is 200 hours.
Online Course? Paper Based? Somewhere in between? It’s your choice!
All of our International GCSE Biology students receive:
- Traditional printed learning materials
- Access to our online resources with on-the-go access to all your regular lessons
- Unmatched support by a fully-qualified teacher online and by phone
Explore the diverse and interesting world of Biology, Apply now!
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Course price
Our Biology IGCSE course fee is £395.
You may pay using our interest free easy payment scheme. Pay a £79 deposit followed by eight monthly instalments of £39.50.
You will receive support from a fully-qualified tutor holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a degree in education.
This support includes:
- Marking all assignments for the course
- Written answers to specific study problems
- Telephone contact
When you begin this course, you will agree an examination date or dates with your Student Adviser. Your support period lasts up to this examination date.
Meet Our Tutors
Having taught in secondary schools and in a sixth form college for over 15 years, I have a wide range of experiences that I can use to support you on your journey. After studying a Biological Sciences Degree at Lancaster University, I decided to pursue a career in education starting in secondary schools, teaching both KS3 and GCSEs to all abilities.
Angeline Keightley B.Sc., PGCE
If you would like more information Enquire Now!
Or if you are ready Apply Now!
What’s next?
After completing their International GCSE Biology, many students go on to study at least one of the sciences at A level. From here, they will have a number of options, including university or a range of professional careers.
Applying for a BTEC is another route that’s open to students who pass their International GCSE Biology, with Health and Social Care and Public Services being two of the most popular choices.
A career in biological science?
In terms of career options, the skills and knowledge that students learn while studying for their Biology International GCSE provide them with plenty of potential opportunities.
Not only does a Biology International GCSE provide a clear path into the NHS, it is also beneficial for students looking to explore careers in science, research or the environment.
Supported by Online Videos
In association with Twig World, The Biology International GCSE is enriched by extensive links to appropriate films (and other supporting material), lesson by lesson. The student hops from the course materials to the films and back again.
To access the films, students need a password, supplied at enrolment. Students also need internet access and an e-mail account to benefit from this extraordinary resource which is offered as a “free” extra to students on the relevant courses.
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.
What is an International GCSE?
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1 grades) are directly comparable to the UK GCSE specifications, with appropriate international content and assessment that will enable successful progression for learners.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs are studied in over 80 countries worldwide and they are very popular in independent schools in the UK. Available in 37 subjects, they are equivalent, grade for grade, to UK GCSEs and accepted by universities globally. Aimed at learners aged 14 to 16, they provide the skills and knowledge needed to progress to A Levels, International A Levels, university and into employment.
Full details of Pearson Edexcel’s International GCSEs can be found here
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 dates for enrolment are the previous November for summer exams or the previous March for November exams.
Once you have enrolled, you will get immediate access to your online course and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.
When will I sit my exam?
The Biology IGCSE papers are available in both the Summer or the Autumn examination series. The Summer series typically runs from mid-May to late June and the Autumn series is in November.
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. You should book your place at an exam centre well in advance of this date. 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 taken exams in recent years.
Tutors & Exams offers discounts to Oxford Home Schooling students and has ten current exam venues across the UK: 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 IGCSE 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 £100 to £350 pounds.
What is the enrolment process?
First fill out our application form giving us and our tutors as much relevant 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.
At this stage you are still not committed to anything. We do not employ high-pressure selling techniques and we encourage you to ask as many questions as you like before finally getting started by paying your deposit by credit card over the phone.
Why isn't there a proper practical exam?
As a distance learner, we do not expect you to have easy access to a science laboratory. We have therefore chosen a specification which tests practical knowledge and encourages home experiments but does not require a specialised laboratory.
Will not doing laboratory practice disadvantage me?
At GCSE level you will not be disadvantaged through not having access to a laboratory. There are practical skills that can be learned at home and our course encourages this.
