Biology A Level Course

The Biology A level Course will teach learners about the study of life: its organisms, its cells, its molecular basis, its history and the ecosystems that it inhabits. The course will examine animals, plants, bacteria and viruses and investigates how genetic information is encoded and passed on, and also explores the application of this knowledge in medicine, agriculture and industry. 

Each lesson begins with a set of clearly stated objectives and an explanation of its place in the overall programme of study. Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions.

The course contains nineteen Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) which include three practice exam assignments designed to prepare you for your exams.

The Biology A Level Home Study Course prepares students for the Edexcel Biology A Level (9BIO) Specification B for exams in Summer 2025 or later years.

The closing date set by tutors for learners aiming for Summer 2024 exams has passed. The closing date for learners aiming for Summer 2025 exams is 10 October 2024.

The Biology A level is assessed by three written exam papers and an optional practical endorsement:

• Paper 1: Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics (1 hour 45 minutes) is 90 Marks in total (30% of the total A Level).

This paper will examine the following topics: Biological Molecules; Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things; Classification and Biodiversity; Exchange and Transport; Energy for Biological Processes; Microbiology and Pathogens; and Modern Genetics.

• Paper 2: Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology (1 hour 45 minutes) is 90 Marks in total (30% of the total A Level).

This paper will examine the following topics: Biological Molecules; Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things; Classification and Biodiversity; Exchange and Transport; Origins of Genetic Variation; Control Systems; and Ecosystems

• Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Biology (2 hour 30 minutes) is 120 Marks in total (40% of the total A Level).

Students are expected to carry out the 16 core practical experiments that are identified in the course content. The examination papers will assume that you have completed these practicals in a school laboratory.

For distance learning students this will not be possible but the course covers this material by a combination of:

• home practicals, suitable for carrying out in the kitchen with normal household materials
• videos and photographs to view online

Science 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” which would be reported alongside the grade on the final A level certificate. This grade is listed as "Pass”.

Please Note: It will not be possible for distance learning students to be tested for practical competency. However, it is not necessary to obtain a statement of practical competency to successfully gain an A level grade and certificate, If students are completing this qualification as part of a further education application then we advise checking with the organisation that you will be studying with to make sure the statement of practical competency is not part of their requirements.

We will admit Candidates for A Level Courses who have a minimum of 4 GCSE’s at grade C and above on the older grading system or 4 or above on the new grading system.

For Biology this should ideally include a grade C/4 or above in Maths and English. It is also assumed that students have obtained a grade C/4 or above at (I)GCSE Biology or Double Award Science. However, it is possible to study the course without this background by doing some additional work. Guidance is given in the course.

Please Note: We cannot accept students who are under 16 years old on this course and all applications are subject to acceptance from the course advisory team.

The Biology A-Level Home Study Course is Divided into Four Modules Containing 41 Lessons:

The following books are required to work alongside your course materials:

• Edexcel A Level Biology Student Book 1 Paperback by Ed Lees, Martin Rowland, C. J. Clegg. (ISBN: 978-1471807343)
• Edexcel A Level Biology Student Book 2 Paperback by Ed Lees, Martin Rowland, C. J. Clegg. (ISBN: 978-1471807374)

Additional non-essential recommended reading is detailed in the course materials for students who would like further resources whilst completing their studies. We recommend purchasing any books after receiving your course materials to make sure there have been no revisions.

The course materials are supplied in a hard-copy format (paper-based) and learners can also receive access to the course notes online through a course portal at no additional charge. 

Learners often find hard-copy materials easier to work through and bookmark but the online access allows additional features such as direct links to YouTube Videos and online quizzes so having both versions available allows the learner the convenience and flexibility of both options. 

There are a set number of tutor-marked assignments (TMA's) in every course. These are designed to help the student to consolidate their learning and prepare for examinations.

Students will be supported until their chosen examination window. Every student will have access to a course tutor with whom they should keep in regular contact. All tutors are fully qualified experienced teachers holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a degree in education. Most work from home and are able to offer flexible contact times. The tutor will contact students with an introductory letter and a telephone call to help decide on a study plan. They will also let the student know the best ways and times they can be contacted.

There is no limit on how often you can contact a tutor. The advice and encouragement that tutors provide is an important part of your learning experience. You can contact your tutor by Phone, Email or Post. All tutors have a Freephone 0800 telephone number and most will have Skype capabilities. Whilst you are still actively submitting assignments, you should expect to be in contact with your tutor regularly. Remember, to get the most out of your tutor, you will need to tell them when you need assistance.

All Edexcel specification A-Level Exams must be taken at a registered examination centre as a private candidate in a registered school or college. The finding of an examination centre and the booking of exams is the responsibility of the student. In December/January students are contacted and advised to start arranging their examinations.

The new Linear format examinations all need to be sat in a single examination window on completion of your studies. Examination fees need to be paid direct to your chosen exam centre. Prices for exams will vary depending on the exam centre’s administration costs so it is worth contacting a few centres to compare prices.

We offer course materials and tutor support although we don't offer the examinations. An Examinations Officer can assist any registered student with finding centres and dealing with coursework forms, but we do not book exams on behalf of students and it is the students responsibility to book their exams. If you would like to research exam centres prior to enrolment then you can visit the Edexcel page for private candidates.

Examination Dates and Exam fees:

A Level exams are only available in the Summer examination window (May/June) and examination fees need to be paid direct to your chosen exam centre. Prices for exams will vary depending on the exam centre's administration costs.

Students can decide to study over a one year or two year period (providing the specification and exams are available over that duration). You can sign up for a course at any time although course tutors set closing dates for students aiming for specific examination windows. 

Please Note - Closing Dates for Examination Windows:

The nearest examination window we can accept learners for A Level Courses is now Summer 2025.

The closing date for courses which require coursework authentication (English Language, English Literature and History) is 15 September 2024.

The closing date for all other A Level Courses is 18 October 2024.

Once closing dates have passed, we can only accept learners aiming towards the stated examination window e.g. Summer 2026, or if more time is needed then learners can choose to aim for the next available exam window e.g. Summer 2027 providing the specification is still available. All learners are required to choose their intended exam window as part of their course application.

Each A Level Course will take approximately 700 hours of study to complete so if you are unsure that you can complete the course prior to the next available exam window then we recommend studying the course over a 2-year period.

• Summer 2024 A Level and AS Level Exam Timetable (Provisional)
• Summer 2025 A Level and AS Level Exam Timetable (Not Yet Available)
• Information for Private Candidates
• Booking A Level Exams

Predicted Grades without a reference can be offered free of charge to learners providing they have completed a suitable amount of work to judge their levels.

Tutors can also support registered students with their University application but this should be arranged in the previous year to sitting exams and prior to the below dates:

• 1st August for Oxford or Cambridge
• 1st December for all other Universities

There is a charge of £100.00 for supporting your UCAS application and providing predicted grades and a well-rounded reference which will incorporate something from each of your tutors and be specific to your application. The payment will be made before the required dates and any reference requests received after this date will incur an additional £50.00 penalty payment.

In order that your tutor has something on which to base a reference and/or predicted grade, you need to have done a MINIMUM of six assignments in each subject you are studying. More is better! Your tutor will want you to succeed so talk to them about your plans; it will help with your application if they know something about you.

If you are at school and are doing an A level as an addition to your school studies, then you will need to check with your school to make sure they will accept a predicted grade or some input into the reference that they are doing for you.