A'Level Biology AQA

At Learn Now, we treat our students as individuals not numbers. Not everyone works at the same pace or needs the same level of assistance and your Tutor will ensure that you receive as much help as is required. We won’t just provide you with your course materials and leave you to get on with it; your course will be tailored to your needs. We have a resource bank full of useful aids and ideas to help you make the most of your studies and give you the best possible chance of success.

This A' Level Biology Course will give you the skills to make connections and associations with all living things around you. Biology is pretty much the study of life and being such a broad topic, you're bound to find a specific area of interest.

The course is also ideal for anyone wishing to study at a higher level at University and gain UCAS points, Plus it opens the door to a fantastic range of interesting careers.

This A' Level Biology course forms part of the new linear qualifications. This means that students will sit exams for their particular qualification at the end of the completed course in the June series.

AS levels will become decoupled from A' Levels; this means that they will both become entirely separate qualifications. You will no longer be able to carry forward your AS qualification to the A' Level qualification and you will sit either AS or A' Level exams.

What can you do with A' Level Biology
Students in the past have progressed onto the following degree courses:-

Biology
Psychology
Sport and excercise science
Medicine
Anatomy
Physiology and Pathology Pharmacology
Toxicology and Pharmacy Chemistry
Studying A' Level Biology at University gives you all sorts of exciting career options, including:-

Doctor
Clinical molecular geneticist
Nature conservation officer
Pharmacologist
Research scientist
Vet
Secondary school teacher
Marine biologist
Dentist

AS Level

Papers 1 and 2 will cover the following content:-
Biological Molecules ▾
Cells ▾
Organisms exchange substances with their environment ▾
Genetic information, variation, and relationships between organisms ▾
 
AS level consists of two 1 hour 30 minute examinations each totalling 50% of the overall AS Level grade.

Full A' Level
Paper 1 will cover topics 1-4, Paper 2 will cover topics 5-8 and Paper 3 will cover topics 1-8 (including practical skills) from the list below:-
Biological Molecules ▾
Cells ▾
Organisms exchange substances with their environment ▾
Genetic information, variation, and relationships between organisms ▾
Energy transfer in and between organisms ▾
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments ▾
Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems ▾
The control of gene expression ▾
There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long.

Practical Assessment

Practical assessments have been divided into those that can be assessed in written exams and those that can only be directly assessed whilst students are carrying out experiments.

A-level grades will be based only on marks from written exams.

A separate endorsement of practical skills will be taken alongside the A-level. This will be assessed by teachers and will be based on direct observation of students’ competency in a range of skills that are not assessable in written exams.

N.B. The practical skills are separate to the overall A’ Level grade. So, if students do not gain the practical endorsement, they can still receive the A’ Level qualification at the end of the two years.

Previous Knowledge Required
There are no previous entry requirements for this course, however students are expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy. You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

What support do we offer with your A' Level Course?

Before you start your tutor will contact you to welcome you and, if you’re new to Learn Now, help you understand what study will be like. They’ll also clarify how and when they can be contacted, and how quickly they will respond to you.

Once you’ve started your tutor will mark and provide feedback on your assignments and support your progress throughout the course.

Awarding Organisation
AQA - The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the Unitary Awarding Bodies in the UK. AQA offers a range of qualifications and services, including GCSE, GCE, GNVQ, VCE and Entry Level. AQA's primary purpose is to ensure that students’ attainments are supported by best assessment practice and that their grades are a reliable statement of their achievement.

Specification code

A' Level Biology AQA: 7402
AS Level Biology AQA: 7401