A Level Biology

Study the science behind life with our A Level Biology course. You’ll expand your knowledge of biological subject areas such as DNA, homeostasis, evolution, and gene technologies.

Depending on your future career plans, the A Levels we recommend studying alongside this online A Level Biology course are A Level Chemistry and A Level Maths.

You’ll gain the knowledge you need to prepare for a future career in the medical field and the university studies you’ll undertake to get you there, whether you want to work in medicine, midwifery, pharmaceuticals, or veterinary science, this course will help you get on track.

Degrees this subject could lead to

For students who have completed this A Level Biology course, you may want to consider studying a university degree in one of the following subject areas:

• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Healthcare
• Medicine
• Veterinary medicine
• Pharmaceuticals

Future career options

You’ll gain the knowledge you need to prepare for a future career in the medical field, whether you want to work in medicine, midwifery, pharmaceuticals, or veterinary science, this course will help you get on track.

A Levels via distance learning

This A Level Biology course is exactly the same as an A Level you would study at school or college, meaning you will take the same exams and get the same qualification. The only difference is that our courses are designed to be studied from home at your own pace, and you will receive full tutor support via email.

Course duration

You will have two years to complete your A Level Biology course.

The only deadlines involved in studying this course are concerning the A Level exam timetables. Please see the exams and assessments section for more information on this.

Exams and assessments

To achieve your A Level Biology qualification, you must complete the exams. There are three written exams and four practical assessments for this course which will cover the topics studied on this course. A breakdown of the exam papers and assessments can be found in the following section.

When you enrol on your course, you will have the option to add your exams to your enrolment, or you can select the course-only option.

Choosing to add the exams and practicals packages

If you choose to add your exams and practical assessments on to your enrolment, all you need to do is contact us when you are ready to sit your exams and practicals, and we will book and pay for them on your behalf.

Please note that if you book your exams with us, but do not add the practical option to your enrolment, you will be responsible for sourcing a centre and booking your practical assessments directly with the centre.

The examinations for this course will be taken at a centre in Birmingham. Additional exam centres in various locations will soon become available.

The A Level exam timetable typically takes place during May and June each year. You are advised to contact us well in advance of when you intend to sit your exams so that we can confirm your place with the exam board – cut-off dates apply.

The course only option

If you do not add your exams and assessments on to your enrolment, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your exams and practical assessments yourself. If you select this option, you must source and liaise with your chosen exam centre in order to book your exams, Open Study College will not be able to book your exams or practicals for you.

Study method

This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.

The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:

• Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
• Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Course outcome

Upon successful completion of your exams, you will be awarded an A Level qualification in Biology issued by AQA. You will also receive UCAS points relevant to the grade you achieved to support your university application.

UCAS

The final grade you achieve in your A Level will be translated into UCAS points. Based on your grade, you will be awarded up to 56 points per A Level which can then be added together to reach the UCAS points you need to be accepted by your chosen university.

To help you achieve the best possible grade from home, we recommend that you complete the tutor-marked assessments included in your course materials. These are designed to provide you with detailed feedback to help you fine-tune your technique before you sit your exam. Completing your tutor-marked assessments will also help your tutor to provide you with a predicted grade if this is required for your UCAS application.

Download our A Level prospectus

To find out more about Open Study College, the A Levels we offer and how they work, download our A Level prospectus.