Biology Fast Track A Level (Full AS+A2)

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 and the A2 level. The AS level is the first half of a full A level and 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 and A2 levels and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

Students usually take 1 year to complete the AS and 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 and you get the same certificate as you would on the two-year course.

A levels are highly valued by schools, colleges and employers. They are at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework and 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 and take the appropriate subject A levels.

About Our A Level Biology Course

This course is made up of the AS level and the A2 level. It is based on two approaches:

1) The concept-led approach includes study of the laws, theories and models of biology, exploring the practical application of these in both knowledge and with reference to everyday life.

2) The context-led approach considers applications of biological knowledge and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and registering. International students need to download the specific handbook for them, which will give alternative examination arrangements and other details.

Your A2 project will be marked externally and moderated by Edexcel.

The whole course is based on assessment objectives and combines a number of learning outcome expectations. The assessment objective weightings for the AS award are as follows:

AO1 Knowledge and understanding of science and of How Science Works 30-34% AO2 Application of knowledge and understanding of AO3 science and 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 and understanding of science and of How Science Works 26-30% AO2 Application of knowledge and understanding of AO3 science and 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 and College Admission Service (UCAS). You can find out more about UCAS and how A levels are valued by Further and 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.

Syllabus

The Units

Unit 1: Lifestyle, Transport, Genes and Health - Unit code 6B101

Unit 2: Development, Plants and the Environment - Unit code 6B1202

Unit 3: Practical Biology and Research Skills - Unit code 6B103

Unit 4: The Natural Environment and Species Survival - Unit code 6B104

Unit 5: Energy, exercise and coordination - Unit code 6B105

Unit 6: Practical Biology and Investigative Skills - Unit code 6B106

For a more detailed syllabus, please see this Biology A Level Course Syllabus. The full specification can be viewed and downloaded from the Edexcel website.

Resources

Your tutor will give you various resource sites to visit and there is extra material on Edexcel’s On Campus area on their website.

Additionally, there are several supporting text books to choose from for this course depending on your individual needs:

Biology for AS by C.J. Cleg; ISBN 978-0-340-96623-5

This book is for the context-led approach and comes with a CD-ROM (single user licence). The book gives you extensive animated diagrams, material and an electronic glossary.

Edexcel AS Biology (Student’s Book) ISBN 978-1-4058-9632-0

This is for the concept-based approach and again has an accompanying CD-ROM which allows you to access additional material.

Biology for A2 by C.J.Cleg ; ISBN 978-0-340-96780-5

This book is for the context-led approach and comes with a CD-ROM (single user licence). The book gives you extensive animated diagrams, material and an electronic glossary.

Edexcel A2 Biology (Student's Book); ISBN 978-1-4082-0602-7

This is for the concept-based approach and again has an accompanying CD-ROM which allows you to access additional material.

Study Hours

Approximately 300 hours.

Qualifications

Qualification: AS/A2 - A Level in Biology

On successful completion of this course you will receive a AS/A2 - A level in Biology from EdExcel. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level. Specification: Edexcel (AS) 8BI01 and Edexcel (A2) 9BI01

Edexcel is the UK’s largest awarding organisation, offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning in the UK and internationally.

A levels are at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework, and they carry UCAS points, which will be awarded according to the grade achieved (A = 120, B = 100, C = 80).

Requirements for Entry

We only require that students have basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.

We only require that students have basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.

Benefits

What's Included

Online learning documentation, online resources, plus priority tutor support for 1 year.

More Information

January 2013 will be the last January exam period. All future exams will be held during the May - June exam period only.

Students are required to arrange and pay for their examinations and manage the course work element if the subject requires this. Students must check the relevant examination board website for further information and final examination sitting dates for the specification.