Enrolment Fee £495
The International A Level Biology Online course with Learn Now follows the Pearson Edexcel (YBI11) specification and is equivalent to the 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 Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Biomedical Science and Environmental Science.
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.
Please note: that the Pearson Edexcel specification is 100% exam based. There will be no science practical endorsement to complete with this course as everything is examined through written assessment.
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Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £495
This International A Level Biology Course with Edexcel will develop your knowledge and understanding of biology by applying the concepts in this specification to a range of different problems, set in a variety of contexts.
The content is relevant for students who have achieved a GCSE (or equivalent) in Biology and who want to study this subject at a higher level.
It covers the major topics in biology, including biological molecules, diet, transport, health, cells, development, biodiversity, conservation, energy, the environment, microbiology, immunity, respiration, the internal environment, coordination and gene technology.
This topic will look at what the body is made of such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. It will also show how substances are transported around the body and how lifestyle factors influence health.
1A.1 The chemistry of life 1A.2 Carbohydrates 1: Monosaccharides and disaccharides 1A.3 Carbohydrates 2: Polysaccharides 1A.4 Lipids 1A.5 Proteins
1B.1 The principles of circulation 1B.2 The roles of the blood 1B.3 Circulation in the blood vessels 1B.4 The mammalian heart 1B.5 Atherosclerosis
1C.1 Risk, correlation and cause 1C.2 Investigating the causes of CVDs 1C.3 Risk factors for cardiovascular disease 1C.4 Diet and cardiovascular health 1C.5 Dietary antioxidants and cardiovascular disease 1C.6 Using the evidence 1C.7 The benefits and risks of treatment
This topic will explain how cells control movement of substances, how chemical reactions are controlled through enzymes and how DNA stores information and determines inherited traits through genetics.
2A.1 Cell membranes 2A.2 Cell transport and diffusion 2A.3 Osmosis: A special case of diffusion 2A.4 Active transport 2A.5 The need for gas exchange surfaces 2A.6 The mammalian gas exchange system
2B.1 Enzymes 2B.2 How enzymes work 2B.3 The structure of DNA and RNA 2B.4 How DNA works 2B.5 The genetic code 2B.6 DNA and protein synthesis
2C.1 Gene mutation 2C.2 Patterns of inheritance 2C.3 Sex linkage 2C.4 Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disease 2C.5 Genetic screening
This topic is all about cells. It will help you gain an understanding of how cells are structured and organised. You will find out how cells divide through mitosis and meiosis and how fertilisation leads to a new organism. Finally, you will see how cells specialise through gene expression and how stem cells may be used in medicine.
3A.1 Observing cells 3A.2 Eukaryotic cells 1: Common cellular structures 3A.3 Eukaryotic cells 2: Protein transport 3A.4 Prokaryotic cells 3A.5 The organisation of cells
3B.1 The cell cycle 3B.2 Mitosis 3B.3 Sexual reproduction and meiosis 3B.4 Gametes: Structure and function 3B.5 Fertilisation in mammals and plants
3C.1 Cell differentiation 3C.2 Interactions between genes and the environment 3C.3 Controlling gene expression 3C.4 Stem cells 3C.5 Using stem cells
This topic will cover three major themes. Plant biology which will help you understand how plant cells and structures work. Classification which tells us how scientists organise living organisms. Finally, Biodiversity and conservation which shows how species evolve and how ecosystems are protected.
4A.1 The cell wall 4A.2 Plant organelles 4A.3 Plant stems 4A.4 The importance of water and minerals in plants 4A.5 Using plant starch and fibres 4A.6 Plant-based medicines 4A.7 Developing new drugs
4B.1 Principles of classification 4B.2 What is a species? 4B.3 Domains, kingdoms or both?
4C.1 Biodiversity and endemism 4C.2 Measuring biodiversity 4C.3 Adaptation to a niche 4C.4 Gene pool and genetic diversity 4C.5 Reproductive isolation and speciation 4C.6 Conservation: Why and how?
This topic will provide an insight into how plants capture energy from sunlight through photosynthesis. You will also gain an understanding of how energy moves through food chains and ecosystems. Finally, you will study how human activity affects the environment.
5A: Photosynthesis 5B: Ecology 5C: Environment and climate change
This topic will explore microbes and their characteristics along with the immune system and how it fights infection. You will discover how decomposition works and how forensic biology uses microorganisms to solve crimes.
6A: Microbiology 6B: Immunity 6C: Decomposition and forensics
This topic will look into how cells release energy, how muscles generate movement and how the body maintains stable internal conditions.
7A: Cellular respiration 7B: Muscles, movement and the heart 7C: Control of the internal environment
This topic will explore how organisms detect and respond to changes within their environment. It will look at how signals are transmitted in the body and how modern genetics is applied in biotechnology.
8A: The nervous system and neurones 8B: Coordination in animals and plants 8C: Gene technology
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 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
We recommend students check the university websites to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for courses they wish to study.
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.
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:
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.
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an Edexcel approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
A Level Exams
There are six exams for the full A Level qualification.
AS Level Exams
There are three exams for the AS Level qualification.
Practical Assessment
It is really important to remember that the term practical skills covers a very wide range of requirements at A level. It does not mean just the ability to handle equipment in a school laboratory or know how to use some particular piece of apparatus. It ranges from using mathematics in a practical context to understanding how scientists investigate ideas, how they analyse their data and how they are very cautious when drawing conclusions.
Practical skills are assessed through a dedicated examination unit both at AS (Unit 3) and at A Level (Unit 6).
The practical assessment is by written exam only. For further information, please click here
On successful completion of all your exams for the A Level Biology Online Course, you will be awarded one of the following qualifications:
International A Level in Biology with Pearson Edexcel | International AS Level in Biology with Pearson Edexcel
Click here for more information about Pearson Edexcel and to be taken to their official website
There are many topics to understand with Edexcel Biology and if you have covered GCSE, this course delves even deeper into the modules. Rather than just memorising facts, you will be required to explain how and why processes happen, interpret graphs, experiments and data and be able to calculate reaction rates, respiration and photosynthesis.
On the portal, topics are broken down with regular assignments to help test your knowledge. You will also be provided with mock practise exam papers in order to prepare you for exams.
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 following eBook(s):
Pearson Edexcel International AS Level Biology Student Book 1 – Ann Fullick (Pearson)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology Lab Book – Michael Strachan (Pearson)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology Student Book 2 – Ann Fullick (Pearson)
Not see the book you are looking for? Ask us and we will let you know if we have it!
International A Level Chemistry – If you are looking to progress onto medicine, biochemistry, pharmacology or chemical engineering, Chemistry is a good subject to pair Biology with.
International A Level Physics – Combining physics with biology can lead onto medicine, bioengineering, physiology and environmental sciences.
The Pearson Edexcel Biology course can be taken worldwide except for the UK. Content within the specification is adapted for international learners and the qualification is comparable to UK A Level standards.
There may be a few centres within the UK allowing you to take this specification but it is best to check with us beforehand.
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:
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 January, June and October 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.
