A Level Biology

• Monomers and polymers
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Many proteins are enzymes
• Nucleic acids are important information-carrying molecules
• ATP
• Water
• Inorganic ions

• Cell structure
• All cells arise from other cells
• Transport across cell membranes
• Cell recognition and the immune system

• Surface area to volume ratio
• Gas exchange
• Digestion and absorption
• Mass transport

• DNA, genes and chromosomes
• DNA and protein synthesis
• Mutation
• Genetic diversity and adaptation
• Species and taxonomy
• Biodiversity within a community
• Investigating diversity

• Photosynthesis
• Respiration
• Energy and ecosystems
• Nutrient cycles

• Stimuli, both internal and external
• Nervous coordination
• Skeletal muscles
• Homeostasis

• Inheritance
• Populations
• Evolution may lead to speciation
• Populations in ecosystems

• DNA and the structure of proteins
• Gene expression
• Using genome projects
• Gene technologies
• Organism function
• Design of new industrial and medical processes

This course takes approximately 360 hours to study. You will have two years to complete your A Level Biology course. If you want to fast-track, the course can be completed in under a year.

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.

To achieve your A Level Biology qualification, you must complete the exams. There are three written exams and twelve 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 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.

Please note, our A Level exam centre locations for this course are as follows:

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Doncaster
• Bolton
• Mitcham
• Taunton
• St Neots, Cambridgeshire
• High Wycombe
• Romford

Please note, if you choose to add your practical sessions to your enrolment, you will need to complete both your practicals and written exams at our Birmingham centre.

The course-only option

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.

If you do not add your exams and assessments 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.