Skip to main content
Nottingham College logo

Key Details

Course Area:

Science

Student Type:

16 - 18 | A Levels

Course Type:

A Level course

Course Introduction

Biology is the study of life in all of its forms. It combines problem solving with practical skills and enables you to develop a scientific approach to the subject.

The course covers cell biology, biochemistry, genes and health, the cardiovascular system, disease, biodiversity and ecology. You will then expand on the topics, looking at areas such as DNA profiling. You will also study the immune system and forensics, ecology, plants and the environment, the nervous system, including brain scans, and various diseases and changes related to exercise, such as respiration and homeostasis.

There are 18 core practical components in total across the two years but you can expect to do more than this. You will be doing a good combination of practical and theory-based work throughout your studies in this subject.

A trip is a key component of our ecology and environment topic. This trip is required in order to complete a required practical and there may be a small cost for this. More details of this will be available when you enrol with us.

You will typically study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

You can choose any A Level combination when you apply but with A Level Biology we find that A Level Chemistry goes particularly well alongside. This combination unlocks a range of higher level study options at University. Other complementary subjects include Maths, PE, Geography and Psychology.

Course Information

A Level Biology Edexcel A (Salters-Nuffield)

Level 3

2 year A Level Programme:

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English at grade 4 or above and Maths at grade 5 or above.
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 7 or above.
  • Grade 6 or above in either GCSE Biology. This also includes a 6/6 in Combined Science/Science Trilogy. If you achieve Grade 5 in higher Maths you will also be enrolled onto a Core Maths qualification.

The following qualifications are NOT accepted:

  • GCSE Applied Science
  • GCSE Combined Science: Synergy
  • BTEC Science

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.

You will complete 3 exams, each being 2 hours long and includes all topics studied. To prepare you for these, you will complete tests throughout your studies and homework assessments.

The course covers a broad range of biological topics and may be used for progression to university to several areas relating to science and biology.

Examples of courses previous students have progressed to include medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, biomedical science, biochemistry, physiotherapy, paramedic science, biology, genetics, zoology, ecology, neuroscience, cancer biology.

The course will also allow for progression onto apprenticeships and develop desirable skills for employment for anyone not wishing to progress to university.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Related Courses

A Level Chemistry

A Level Physics

Applied Science (Level 1 BTEC Introductory Diploma) (16-18) - Full-time