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General Certificate of Education in Biology AQA

A Level Biology AQA

Biology supports progression onto university in degrees such as Medicine, Nursing and Science. You will receive up to 56 UCAS points and expert guidance applying to Universities worldwide including the UK.
  • Awarding Body: AQA
  • A Level Biology: 7402
    AS Level Biology: 7401
  • Learning Hours: 360 Hours
  • Fast Track Available
  • Full A Level Qualification
General Certificate of Education in Biology AQA
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Enrolment Fee £395

Overview

The AQA A Level Biology Online course with Learn Now follows the AQA (7402) specification and is the same qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college.  Once completed, you will obtain UCAS points which will support progression to university in degrees such as medicine, nursing, science and STEM careers.

This course would suit adult learners returning to education, students resitting exams or studying alongside other commitments, and learners looking to be accepted into University.

We also offer International A Level Biology Cambridge which would suit learners inside or outside the UK.

Get 10% discount when ordering multiple A Level courses. Use the coupon code: ALEVEL10 at checkout

Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £395

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Syllabus

Biology is the science of life and living organisms.  A living organism is something that exhibits the characteristics of life.  If you look around you, examples of living organisms include humans, animals, plants, fungi and bacteria.

The A Level Biology course will teach you how living organisms function and how they grow.  You will also learn about the distribution of life on Earth. Biology includes topics such as genetics and the study of DNA.  Also, Ecology and how living organisms interact with their environment.

The Full A Level has eight topics you will need to cover and the AS Level has four topics.  These are listed below.

A Level Modules

What shares the same basic chemistry and provides evidence for evolution? The answer is ALL life on Earth. Organisms are diverse, however their cells are built from similar carbon-based compounds and these compounds function in similar ways. They contain carbohydrates which are used as energy sources, Lipids that act as hormones and store energy, Proteins that work as enzymes and nucleic acids which store genetic information. For this topic, you will cover:

  • Monomers and polymers
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic acids
  • ATP
  • Water
  • Inorganic ions
All life on earth is made of cells which share similar features. All cells have a cell-surface membrane, however eukaryotic cells also have internal membranes such as the nucleus and mitochondria. New cells arise from existing cells by binary fission in bacteria or mitosis and meiosis. Cells have proteins which control transport and act as antigens. This helps build up immunity against future infections.  For this topic, you will cover:

  • Cell structure
  • All cells arise from other cells
  • Transport across cell membranes
  • Cell recognition and the immune system
Oxygen, glucose and waste products move between the outside environment and the inside of the body through exchange surfaces.  To enter or leave cells, substances must cross cell membranes.  Most cells are surrounded by tissue fluid and therefore diffusion alone can be too slow to carry substances.  Mass transport systems therefore carry substances quickly between exchange surfaces and cells. For this topic, you will cover:

  • Surface area to volume ratio
  • Gas exchange
  • Digestion and absorption
  • Mass transport
Biodiversity is the variety of life and includes different species such as plants, animals and bacteria.  It also covers the differences between individuals of the same species.  For example height or eye colour and the different types of cells in one organism. Differences occur because of genes.  Genes are small sections of DNA that provide instructions for making proteins. Differences help organisms survive in their environment. For this topic, you will cover:

  • DNA, genes and chromosomes
  • DNA and protein synthesis
  • Genetic diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during meiosis
  • Genetic diversity and adaption
  • Species and taxonomy
  • Biodiversity within a community
  • Investigating diversity
ATP is the energy carrying molecule used in cells.  It can release energy very quickly.  In photosynthesis, light energy is absorbed and used to produce ATP whereas in respiration, organisms break down substances to release energy and make ATP.  Photosynthesis happens in plants, algae and some bacteria.  Respiration happens in all living organisms. For this topic, you will cover:

  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Energy and ecosystems
  • Nutrient cycles
Organisms have a response system like a message being sent and actioned.  This involves stimulus, receptors, coordinators and effectors.  Nerves send fast messages which are quick and short.  Hormones are slower responses as they travel in the blood but last longer.  Plants use hormone-like chemicals to control growth. For this topic, you will cover:

  • Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
  • Nervous coordination
  • Skeletal muscles are stimulated to contract by nerves and act as effectors
  • Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
Individuals within a species can have the same genes, however, they will have different alleles, inherited from their parents, which causes variation.  Populations change over time due to natural selection and this is known as evolution.  For this topic, you will cover:

  • Inheritance
  • Populations
  • Evolution may lead to speciation
  • Populations in ecosystems
Each cell within your body has the same DNA and therefore the same genetic information, however they only use some of their genes.  For example, a muscle cell uses genes for movement which is known as gene expression – turning genes on or off.  Gene activity is affected by things such as hormones, diet or stress.  When gene control goes wrong, diseases can occur.  This helps scientists to diagnose and treat illnesses.  For this topic, you will cover:

  • Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure of proteins
  • Gene expression is controlled by a number of features
  • Using genome projects
  • The study and alteration of gene function and understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes.

AS Level Modules

  • Monomers and polymers
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic acids
  • 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
  • Genetic diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during meiosis
  • Genetic diversity and adaption
  • Species and taxonomy
  • Biodiversity within a community
  • Investigating diversity

What can you do with A Level Biology?

Students in the past have progressed onto the following degree courses:-

•Biology  •Psychology  •Sport and exercise 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

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.

Enrolment Fees

Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course.  This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.

Our enrolment fee includes:

  • All study materials covering the full specification.
  • Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
  • Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
  • Help completing university applications including UCAS and The Common Application.
  • Reference and predicted grade for University.
  • Assignment marking and feedback
  • Marked and graded practise examination papers
  • Eligibility for a Totum Card if you reside within the UK
  • Fast Track A Level if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.

The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior and this will be paid directly to the exam centre.

Assessments

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations/practicals at an AQA approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

A Level Exams

There are three exams for the full A Level qualification. The length of each exam is two hours long.

Paper 1 Paper 1 Paper 1 A Level Qualification

AS Level Exams

There are two exams for the AS Level qualification. The length of each exam is 1 hour 30 minutes long.

Paper 1 Paper 1 AS Level Exams

This A’ Level Biology course forms part of the linear qualifications and therefore learners will sit exams for their particular qualification at the end of the completed course in the June series.

You will not be able to carry forward your AS qualification to the A’ Level qualification as they are now classed as entirely independent qualifications and you will sit either AS or A’ Level exams.

Practical Assessment

Assessment of practical skills in the AS specification will be by written exams only. Therefore the practical endorsement does not apply to the AS specification. At least 15% of the marks for the AS Biology qualification will require the assessment of practical skills through written exams only.

For the Full A Level, practical assessments have been divided into those that can be assessed in written exams and those that can only be directly assessed whilst learners are carrying out experiments.

A-level grades will be based only on marks from written exams. A separate endorsement of practical skills can be taken alongside the A-level.

For more information regarding practical examinations, please click here.

A Level Biology Online Course Outcome

On successful completion of all your exams for the A Level Biology Online Course, you will be awarded one of the following qualifications:

A Level in Biology with AQA | AS Level in Biology with AQA

Click here for more information about AQA and to be taken to their official website

Still unsure? Look through our FAQs

A Level Biology is challenging but manageable for most learners.  It is harder than GCSE but not the hardest subject overall.  Learners can find Biology challenging for a number of reasons:

  • There are quite a few topics when you initially look at the subject, however once you have gone through them, you realise how they all relate to one another and support the life of living organisms.
  • Learners will be expected to interpret graphs, calculations and experiments and therefore a background in Maths can be helpful.

In order to navigate these obstacles, it can help if you have completed the IGCSE in Biology an even the IGCSE in Maths.  If you enrol onto the A Level course and need additional help, your tutor can provide additional help to support you.

You will not be required to purchase any books with this course.  We automatically include logins to our online e-Library which includes access to eBooks such as:

  • AQA A Level Biology Student Book 1 (Hachette Learning) (Pauline Lowrie ; Mark Smith)
  • AQA A Level Biology Student Book 2 (Hachette Learning) (Pauline Lowrie ; Mark Smith)

A Level Biology could be studied alongside many subjects.

A Level Chemistry – Biology and Chemistry can lead onto degrees in biochemistry or medicine

A Level Computer Science and A Level Mathematics – You may want to specialise in biological data such as DNA and protein sequences. These courses would help you apply for degrees in this area of Biology.

A Level Psychology – A large part of Psychology is understanding the brain and it’s behaviour. A Levels in Psychology and Biology will help you move onto neuroscience and healthcare.

Other subjects include Physics, Environmental Science and Geography.

This is also a popular subject with anyone looking to pursue a career in the healthcare sector, whether you wish to become a nurse, midwife or a surgeon.

As you can see, A Level Biology can take you in many directions as well as securing you a place at University.

The AQA Biology course can only be taken within the UK and some British Overseas Territories. If you are located outside the UK, you can take the Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel Biology course which offer exam centres worldwide.

AS and A levels are standalone qualifications, however the Full A Level carries more UCAS points than the AS Level.  It also requires more study hours as follows:

  • AS Level = 180 hours
  • A Level = 360 hours

You will see the difference in the content above under ‘syllabus’ but you can also refer to our article on ‘What is AS Level’ for more information.

You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete it much sooner if you want to.  Exams for this subject fall in May/June each year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for.  We have more information on exam timetables here.

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