To study Biology A Level you should expect to get a B grade or above in IGCSE Biology. Pass grades in IGCSE Mathematics and Chemistry would also be helpful.
Biology is the study of life. Studying biology you gain an understanding of how life evolves, survives and changes. It gives you knowledge about the interaction of cells with organs and organisms, with environment and ecosystems. Biology teaches us how organs and systems work in the human body and how everything is inter-connected within the body.
It is a very important subject from a medical point of view, including looking at diseases and cure. Knowledge of Biology helps us make a better environment for people to live in and has led to improvement in agriculture and food supply. Biology has the potential to improve human life, and will continue enabling us to live longer and healthier lives well into the future.
The course syllabus is Salters-Nuffield Biology A Level Edexcel – A
The course is assessed through practical work (there are 18 core practicals over the entire A Level course, and many other practical investigations, for which a practical endorsement pass is awarded). There are 3 written exams. Each exam paper is 2 hours long and takes places at the end of Year 12.
A Level Biology involves an ecology trip to undertake fieldwork. The trip is residential. It lasts for 3 or 4 days and will take place at the start of Year 13.
The number of degree courses and opportunities that you are able to study beyond A Level biology is huge. You gain many transferable skills that will serve you well into university and beyond in the real world of work and adult life.
A Level Biology is demanding but rewarding and interesting. If you are good at IGCSE Biology or sciences in general and are interested in the subject, A Level Biology is a very good choice for you.
Students can enter courses in medicine to qualify as doctors, or can study related degrees in medical biosciences, pharmacy or neuroscience. A Level Biology is also ideal preparation for degrees in biochemistry, genetics, forensics, environmental sciences, food sciences, or biotechnology. These qualifications train scientists for careers in cancer research, immunology, disease treatment and other fields. They can also prepare those who want to launch a company within fast-growing new-technology sectors. Biology is relevant to psychology or sports science, and is useful to those who want to become lawyers or journalists or wishing to study humanities and want the rigorous grounding of a science qualification at A Level.