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A Level Environmental Science

OSC1286 / OSC1403

Earn up to 56 UCAS points with this online A Level Environmental Science course from home. We have a 94% pass rate** with our A Levels!

Course duration

Up to two years.

Course outcome

A Level Environmental Science qualification from AQA.

Entry requirements

We recommend that you have a grade 4/C in GCSE Science, however this is not essential.

Assessment

Fieldwork and two written exams.

Course Options

Study Options

 
£549.00£499.00
or £15.31 /month*
Course code: OSC1286
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*Pay monthly option available via Snap Finance on payment page in checkout

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Course overview

  • Gain an official A Level Environmental Science qualification from AQA.
  • Achieve up to 56 UCAS points to help you land your dream place at university.
  • Nationally recognised accredited A Level qualification that is the same course offered in schools and colleges.
  • No waiting around for term to start, you can enrol today and start studying as soon as you are ready.
  • Study this online A Level from home at your own pace.
  • Benefit from the full support of your personal tutor via email.
  • Choose to include exams and fieldwork and save up to £770*

Do you want to learn more about the science that affects the environment? This Environmental Science A Level course will teach you more about the conditions for life on earth, the sustainability of energy resources and agriculture, strategies to control pollutants, and biogeochemical cycles. You will also have the opportunity to complete fieldwork based on a range of habitats in Lincolnshire to further develop your understanding.

Depending on the degree and career you aspire to, the A Levels we recommend studying alongside this course are A Level Geography, A Level Chemistry, and A Level Biology.

A Level Environmental Science via distance learning

This A Level Environmental Science 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 content

Specification: AQA 7447

  • Conditions for life on earth
  • Conservation of biodiversity
  • Life processes in the biosphere and conservation planning
  • Opportunities for skills development and independent thinking

  • The hydrosphere
  • Mineral resources
  • Biogeochemical cycles

  • The importance of energy supplies in the development of society
  • The impact of the features of energy resources
  • The sustainability of current energy resource exploitation
  • Strategies to secure future energy supplies
  • New energy conservation technologies

  • The properties of pollutants
  • Strategies to control pollutants
  • Ionising radiation
  • Noise
  • Solid wastes
  • Heavy metals
  • Acid mine drainage
  • Nutrient pollution
  • Pesticides

  • Agriculture
  • Agroecosystems
  • Sustainability of agriculture
  • Aquatic food production systems
  • Forest resources

  • Dynamic equilibria
  • Energy
  • Material cycles
  • The circular economy

  • Scientific methodologies
  • Sampling techniques
  • Specialist techniques
  • Fieldwork and laboratory activities
  • Standard environmental techniques

Exam details

  • Type: written examination
  • Duration: three hours
  • Weighting: 50% of A Level
  • Total marks: 120
  • Assessed: any content from sections two, three, four, and seven
  • Assessment format: a combination of multiple-choice, short answer, and extended writing questions

  • Type: written examination
  • Duration: three hours
  • Weighting: 50% of A Level
  • Total marks: 120
  • Assessed: any content from sections one, five, six and seven
  • Assessment format: a combination of multiple-choice, short answer, and extended writing questions

Extra information

You will have two years to complete your A Level Environmental Science 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.

To achieve your A Level Environmental Science qualification, you must complete the exams and fieldwork required. There are two written exams for this course which will cover the topics studied on this course. A breakdown of the exam papers 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.

Fieldwork

As part of this course, you must undertake fieldwork that meets the minimum requirement of four days. You can choose to add this on with us as part of the exams and fieldwork package. The fieldwork will be based on a range of habitats in Lincolnshire.

Overall, at least 15% of the marks for your A Level Environmental Science qualification will come from the assessment of your fieldwork skills.

The fieldwork typically takes place in March each year, however, you will need to contact our team to find out the exact dates when you are ready to complete your fieldwork and exams as they must be done in the same year.

Choosing to add the exams and fieldwork package

If you choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, all you need to do is contact us when you are ready to complete your fieldwork and sit your exams, and we will book and pay for them on your behalf. Please note that 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 complete your fieldwork and exams so that we can confirm your place with the exam board – cut-off dates apply.

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

  • Coventry
  • Doncaster
  • Bolton
  • Wimbledon
  • Taunton
  • St Neots, Cambridgeshire
  • High Wycombe
  • Romford

Your fieldwork will take place in Lincolnshire, so you must be able to travel to complete your fieldwork.

The course-only option

If you do not add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your assessments yourself. If you select this option, you must source and liaise with your chosen exam centre in order to book your exams and fieldwork, Open Study College will not be able to book your exams for you. In this instance, you are advised to contact AQA exam centres well in advance of their intended exam dates, as cut-off dates sometimes change.

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 Environmental Science qualification issued by AQA. You will also receive UCAS points relevant to the grade you achieved to support your university application.

Degrees this subject could lead to

Suitable degrees once you have successfully completed your A Level Environmental Science course include environmental science, ecology, microbiology, law, geography, and conservation to name a few.

Future career options

Beyond university, potential future careers for A Level Environmental Science students include in-demand careers such as:

  • Environmental specialists
  • Landfill engineers
  • Nuclear waste management
  • Hydrogeologists
  • Geologist

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.

FAQs

Yes, you will study the same course, 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.

We recommend that you hold at least a grade 4/C in GCSE Combined Science, however, this is not essential.

When you enrol on this A Level course with OSC, you will receive:

  • Dedicated personal tutor support with unlimited email access.
  • Dedicated learner services from our learner services team.
  • Course materials with learning activities.
  • Assignment marking and feedback from your personal tutor.
  • A predicted grade on completion of your tutor-marked assignments, if required for your university application.
  • A free CV critique service and employability guide if you’re focusing on career advancement.
  • A free Student Discounts membership to save you money on your favourite brands.
  • A study pack including a pen, study planner, and notebook*.
  • If you choose to add exams and fieldwork to your enrolment with an A Level package, then your exam and fieldwork fees will be included. We will also handle the booking on your behalf. Otherwise, we can refer you to one of our partner exam centres located throughout the UK so you can book your exams and fieldwork yourself.

* Not included with the online study option

There is no required reading for this A Level, however, you will need to conduct your own research using the internet during your studies.

Yes, in order to achieve your A Level qualification, you must complete the exams and fieldwork required by the course’s exam board. A Level exams take place during the summer exam period which typically falls in May and June each year. Fieldwork sessions tend to place the March before you are booked to sit your exams.

You can choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment with us, in which case we will book and pay for your exams for you when you are ready. Alternatively, if you choose the course-only option, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your exams and fieldwork which can be done directly with your local exam centre.

Please note: if you add on exams you will need to sit these exams in either the Coventry, Doncaster, Bolton, Wimbledon, Taunton, or St Neots (Cambridgeshire) examination centre.

You will need to complete your fieldwork at a site in Lincolnshire, so you must be able to travel to complete this section of your course.

If you select the course-only option when enrolling on your A Level, you will need to book and pay for your exams and fieldwork directly with the exam centre yourself. We highly recommend researching your options before enrolling as costs can vary between centres. However, if you choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, we will take care of booking and paying for them for you when you are ready.

You are still able to study our A Level courses abroad, however, you must complete your fieldwork and sit your exams within the UK at an official exam centre.

It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Learner Services Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.

That's not a problem. We want to make sure you're 100% confident about enrolling on the course and starting your study. So, just give our team of education specialists a call on 03300 563 100 and they'll do their best to help.

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