Biology A Level
About A Levels
A levels are subject-specific qualifications normally studied after GCSEs or International GCSEs, though they are appropriate at any age to gain a qualification in a subject in which you are interested.
The qualification is made up of two levels: the AS level & the A2 level. The AS level is the first half of a full A level & is a qualification on its own. The A2 level builds on the knowledge gained from both the AS level, as well as the GCSE level. Both the AS & A2 levels & examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.
Students usually take 1 year to complete the AS & a further year to complete the A2
- so a full A level usually takes two years. This fast track A level, however, lets you complete the course in half the time (i.e. one year instead of two years). The fast track A level works in exactly the same way & you get the same certificate as you would on the two-year course.
A levels are highly valued by schools, colleges & employers. They are at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework & they carry UCAS points, which will be awarded according to the grade achieved (A = 120, B = 100, C = 80).
Many courses at university or college will require you to take A levels in certain subjects. We recommend you check the requirements for those courses & take the appropriate subject A levels.
About Our A Level Biology Course
This course is made up of the AS level & the A2 level. It is based on two approaches:
1) The concept-led approach
Includes:: study of the laws, theories & models of biology, exploring the practical application of these in both knowledge & with reference to everyday life.
2) The context-led approach considers applications of biological knowledge & looks at the underpinning concepts.
This course offers both approaches in combination. This mixed approach is more appropriate for distance learning students as there is a need for flexibility. The assessment criteria & structure is the same for both approaches. After each topic there will be a tutor marked assignment, which can be emailed to your tutor as an attachment in Word, Works or RTF format. You will be sent a welcome letter by your tutor, as soon as you make contact, which will outline assignment submission in more detail.
There is a project element to both the AS award & A2 award which expect distance learning students to reflect on practical biological knowledge as well as theoretical. The AS project will be based upon a field visit; the A2 project upon an individual experiment. Neither requires students to have laboratory access.
Your AS project will be marked & moderated by an independent coursework marker at the centre where you sit your examinations. There may be a fee for the marking. All distance learning students should download the Private Candidates Handbook from Edexcel's website which gives you guidance on finding an examination centre & registering. International students need to download the specific handbook for them, which will give alternative examination arrangements & other details.
Your A2 project will be marked externally & moderated by Edexcel.
The whole course is based on assessment objectives & combines a number of learning outcome expectations. The assessment objective weightings for the AS award are as follows:
AO1
Knowledge & understanding of science & of How Science Works
30-34%
AO2
Application of knowledge & understanding of AO3 science & of How Science Works
34-40%
AO3
How Science Works
28%
Total
100%
The assessment objective weightings for the A2 award are as follows:
AO1
Knowledge & understanding of science & of How Science Works
26-30%
AO2
Application of knowledge & understanding of AO3 science & of How Science Works
42-48%
AO3
How Science Works
26%
Total
100%
What Can I Do After Completing This A Level in Biology?
Getting A levels can provide you with a variety of options, such as work, further study or an apprenticeship.
After successful completion of this course, you could apply to university, a BTEC Higher National, NVQ, a BTEC Apprenticeship or a mixture of these qualifications.
If you are applying to a UK university you are likely to apply through the University & College Admission Service (UCAS). You can find out more about UCAS & how A levels are valued by Further & Higher education institutes on the UCAS website.
Financing Your Biology A Level
While our ' Fees' tab below shows only full payment options, we do offer alternatives for financing your A level course. You can either pay everything up front so you don't have to think about it again, or we have an instalment payment plan available, whereby you pay a deposit of £100.84 plus 5 monthly intalments of £60.84.
To take advantage of our monthly instalment plan, you'll need to contact us directly to enrol at +44 (0) 1288 356300, or info@stonebridge.uk.com.