female student in library holding a textbook

A-Levels

Level 3

01 Sep 2025

2 Years

LOXTON CAMPUS

ALBIOD1LC

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Biology, A Level

Biology A Level will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fascinating world of biology and prepare you for further studies in the field. You will study the natural science concerned with the study of life, living organisms and ecosystems.

Throughout this course, you will have the opportunity to explore various biological concepts and processes, both fundamental and advanced. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human physiology. You'll delve into each of these areas and develop a deep understanding of the principles and theories that underpin them.

Our Sixth Form, located at Loxton Campus, offers state-of-the-art facilities designed to provide a university-like environment. You will benefit from access to our recently refurbished and well-equipped laboratories, which include modern apparatus and plenty of reference resources, allowing you to conduct experiments and investigations to reinforce your theoretical knowledge.

By studying biology with us, you will automatically become a part of our Career Excellence Hub and benefit from a range of additional opportunities designed to enhance your career prospects. We have established partnerships with reputable research institutions and organisations, providing you with valuable work experience and research opportunities in the field of biology.

Throughout the course, you'll attend informative lectures, participate in field trips, and engage in practical laboratory work. These activities will expand your knowledge and provide you with real-world insights into the field of biology. You'll be taught by experienced teachers who are passionate about biology and dedicated to helping you succeed.
As part of your course, you will have the opportunity to take part in the Biology Olympiad Worldwide competition. We also have in-person and online talks from various universities and employers such as Hanham Secure Health. These offer insight into how to successfully apply for biology related courses at university, such as medicine and veterinary medicine, plus different roles within the medical field.

In the first year of your course, you'll have the opportunity to follow a pathway that aligns with your career aspirations. These options include a Biomedical pathway, only open to Biology students.

Our dedicated Tutor Learning Mentors will provide guidance and assistance to help you develop effective study skills and prepare for exams. Whether you're considering higher education or seeking employment opportunities, we'll provide tailored support for university applications and job interviews.

Biology A Level will not only expand your knowledge and understanding of biology but also nurture your analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and scientific literacy. This course will lay the foundation for a successful academic and professional journey in the biological sciences.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE

Development of practical skills in biology
Foundations in biology
Exchange and transport
Biodiversity, evolution, and disease
Communication, homeostasis, and energy

You will also develop practical skills in planning, implementation, analysis, and evaluation.

This programme is part of a Sixth Form offer, learners typically choose three or four A Level subjects to study over a two-year period. Which A Levels you study can affect your choices at university and your future career. Take a look here at our other A Level programmes.

ASSESSMENT METHOD

You will sit three written exams in the second year. You will also receive a pass or fail grade for skills developed in practical work.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Following this programme, you could progress to university to study degrees in medicine or veterinary science.

You could also progress to a degree here at University Centre Weston in:

Public and Environmental Health BSc (Hons)
Biological Laboratory Sciences FdSc
Degree Apprenticeship in Environmental Health Practitioner

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Five GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English, grade 5 in maths and grade 6 or above in core and additional science.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.

I’d like to visit and see the facilities and chat to staff – see when our next open event is here: EVENTS | Weston College

I have a quick question – use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

Category & Subject Area

A Levels Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds

iAn interview is required for this course.

Fees Information

Level 2 Qualifications

This course may be Free* if you live in the South West of England and:

You are defined by the Adult Education Board (AEB) as being unemployed because one of the following applies:
- receive Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including those receiving National Insurance credits only
- receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- receive Universal Credit and your take home pay, as recorded on your Universal Credit statement (disregarding Universal Credit payment and other benefits) is less than £345 a month (learner is sole adult in the benefit claim) or £552 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner)
- are released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice
You are employed, or self-employed, and earn less than £18,525.00 annual gross salary.

Level 3 Qualifications

This course is Free* if:

The qualification you have chosen to study is part of the Legal Entitlements list and you are aged 19-23 at the start of your course and you do not already have a qualification at Level 3 or higher. From April 2021, any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification will be able to access certain courses we run for free.

The full fee is payable if:

this is not your first full level 3

the qualification you wish to study isn’t on the approved list of level 3 qualifications the College can run for free.

However, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Apprenticeships - Information for Employers

The cost of apprenticeships will be split into 30 funding bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The prices will depend on the type of apprenticeship and the level it is taught at, and are negotiable with your training provider.

For 98% of employers, the reforms mean that employing an apprentice will be better value for money than ever before. Small businesses will only have to pay 5% of the training costs, with the Government picking up the remaining 95%. In some cases, the Government will fully fund apprenticeships for small businesses.

Click here for more information about how the reforms and levy will affect your company.

Advanced Learner Loans

You may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from Student Finance England, to fund the cost of your course. For further information and to check eligibility, please follow the links below:

Other Important information

While every care has been made to ensure the accuracy of our prospectuses and website, errors may occur from time to time resulting in incorrect information / fees being shown / printed.

Fees quoted online and in our prospectuses are for the current academic year only, and are subject to change – two and three-year courses will have fees to pay again in subsequent years.
You may still need to buy a uniform/kit which is your professional start-up kits or pay professional/personal memberships and all students will need to provide a National Insurance number and up-to-date proof of benefits, if applicable, at the time of enrolment.
Please click here for our current term dates.

If you are 16-18 years old on the 31st August in the current academic year, this course is usually Free.
Students who are EU/EEA or Swiss Citizens who have lived in the UK before 1 January 2021 who do not have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or haven’t applied for the EU Settlement Scheme and been granted pre-settled or settled status – please contact the College Registrar on 01934 411 531 for advice on appropriate UKVI student visa fees before you enrol.

Refunds

Full refunds will be payable if we need to cancel a course.
Tuition fee refunds are payable if you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling on your course and before the start of the course (10% of tuition fee or £25 administration fee whichever is larger will be charged).

If you change your mind about a course before it starts or during the first three weeks, we will happily transfer you to an alternative course - you may need to pay any difference in fees or have a credit note issued to you if the course is cheaper.
If you wish to withdraw from a course you can request a credit note for the remaining proportion of the tuition fees to a maximum of 50% of tuition fees paid (a £25 administration fee will be charged). Credit notes are valid for one calendar year.
There are different terms and conditions for Higher Education courses - please call 01934 411 409 for further details.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

This is a College-administered fund which can support some costs associated with attending qualification courses. It is mean-tested against gross household income and limited in its amount per learner. For further information please contact Student Services on 01934 411 571.

Pippa's Vlog

Take a look at a day in the life of our A-level Biology student Pippa!

Occupations related to Biology, A Level

Biological Scientist or Biochemist

Biological scientists and biochemists examine and investigate the morphology, structure, chemistry and physical characteristics of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases.

Average annual earnings: £32,423
Employment in region: 2,446 positions

Laboratory Technician

Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and checks, and perform a variety of technical support functions requiring the application of established or prescribed procedures and techniques to assist scientists with their research, development, analysis and testing, and to verify the physical, chemical and other characteristics of materials and products.

Average annual earnings: £17,377
Employment in region: 2,069 positions

What our Students say

Kornelia

A Levels in Fast Track Maths, Chemistry and Biology

Support from staff, with one-to-one sessions and drop-ins, greatly improved my progress. The refurbished library and well-equipped labs also improved my learning experience.

Read my story

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