GCSE / IGCSE Biology including exams

GCSE / IGCSE Biology including exams

This Course at a Glance

• Study intricate and complex living organisms
• Develop Biology-related mathematical skills
• Internationally recognised Level 2 qualifications
• Choose between GCSE and IGCSE when you're ready for your exams
• Progress to Level 3 qualifications
• 100% online study
• Exams included

About Your Course

If you have ever envisaged a career in science and research, sport, medicine, forensics or even agriculture, you will need a detailed understanding of living organisms. As the study of life and living matter, Biology is the perfect subject to explore as a stepping stone into these areas. 

The earliest level of academic qualification you can gain in Biology is at Level 2, and the GCSE or IGCSE are ideal options.

Like traditional GCSEs, iGCSEs provide a gateway to further study for students, so you can progress to Level 3 study before completing a degree.

In this course you will explore an array of interesting and insightful modules, that cover everything from reproduction and inheritance, to the nature and variety of living organisms, ecology and the environment.

This will enable you to identify the unifying patterns and themes in Biology and methods of adapting their use to new and changing situations. You will also have a good comprehension of biological facts, terminology, concepts, principles and practical techniques.

The course also provides options to localise the content so that the topics covered relate to your own country. As it’s studied online, extra attention has been paid to creating content that is engaging and interesting. Overall, this course has been verified as adequate preparation for anyone who wants to further their knowledge of Biology, subjects in biological sciences and more.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK online course provider.

The GCSE Biology is an academic qualification awarded by AQA.

The IGCSE Biology is an academic qualification awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding organisation.

Being offered completely online, this course also provides you with the flexibility of completing your course from the comfort of home, or wherever suits you best. There are no classes or restrictive timetables to adhere to, so you can simply log on and learn as and when you have the time.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

You will be unable to book your exam until all outstanding course fees are settled in full, this includes any associated charges deemed to be payable as per your initial contract.

All courses funded via our partner Premium Credit Limited, will need to be settled with them directly.

Modules

There are 11 units in your course. The first two units include everything you need to know about both the GCSE and the iGCSE Biology qualification, exam locations and guidance on how to successfully study online.

Unit 3: Introduction to Science - Biology

In your first biology unit, you will learn about the principles of biological science.

Unit 4: Cell Biology

This unit covers the fundamentals of cells, the building blocks of life.

Unit 5: Organisation of cells

This unit builds on unit 4 and looks at how cells are organised into component parts of the organism, and cellular health issues.

Unit 6: Infection and Response

Now you have an understanding of how cells and organs function, this unit looks at how cells respond to infection.

Unit 7: Bioenergetics

This unit focuses on how cells transform and use energy.

Unit 8: Homeostasis and Response

Homeostasis is the regulation of a constant internal environment, in particular how the conditions are maintained to ensure optimum conditions for metabolism and changes in response to both internal and external fluctuations. In this unit you'll learn all about it:

Unit 9: Inheritance

This unit looks at how certain traits are passed on during reproduction.

Unit 10: Variation and Evolution

This unit looks at the characteristics of individuals within a population and how they occur.

Unit 11: Ecology

Your final unit looks at the Ecosystem and the impact humans have on it.

At the end of your units you will find a full set of mock exams.

Entry Requirements

You must complete at least 50% of the course and pass the associated assignments before you are eligible to be entered for the exams.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes to complete the course is 18 months.

Assessment requirements

The assessment consists of written exams

Placement or Practical required

GCSE: Previously passed practical assessments are required. If you have not previously passed the practicals you will take iGCSE.

Exams required

One of our exam partners will provide the exam centre and oversee the examination process. Should you choose to sit at a centre that is not on our partners list, you will be charged the exam centre finder fee.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners will choose between GCSE and iGCSE when booking their exams. Full details of both are in the course.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 3 months after receiving the result.

Extension Rules

You may extend this course once for a maximum of twelve months.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before exams can be booked.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

The assessment for GCSE Biology comprises two externally-assessed papers:

There are two tiers in GCSE Biology – foundation tier and higher tier.

The structure of the exams is the same for both tiers, but different exam papers are given.

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4 (Cell biology Organisation; Infections and response; and Bioenergetics).

The exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes and worth 100 marks and 50% of the overall grade. Question styles include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 7 (Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology).

The exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes and worth 100 marks and 50% of the overall grade. Question styles include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

In addition there are 12 practical assessments which you must complete. Please note, you must source your own place for these assessments at a local school or college.

There are two exams in iGCSE Biology.

Paper 1 is assessed through a 2-hour written examination set and marked by Pearson. The paper includes a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification. The paper is worth a total of 110 marks.

Paper 2 is assessed through a 1-hour and 15-minute written examination set and marked by Pearson. The paper includes a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification. The paper is worth a total of 70 marks.

There are no practical exams in iGCSE Biology.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You will be unable to book your exam until all outstanding course fees are settled in full, this includes any associated charges deemed to be payable as per your initial contract.

All courses funded via our partner Premium Credit Limited, will need to be settled with them directly.

Tutors & Exams

Tutors and Exams provides examination and assessment facilities primarily aimed at private and home educated candidates.

Tutors and Exams currently have five examination centres located around the country: Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, St Neots Cambridgeshire and Wimbledon. All are approved for examination delivery by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

In addition to their examination centres they also have a dedicated Science laboratory based in Birmingham with the ability to deliver A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another Science laboratory located in London.

Pearson Edexcel

Upon successful completion of the course and associated exams, you will have gained an iGCSE in Biology. 

International GCSEs (iGCSEs) enable successful progression to A Level study and beyond. This course has been created in collaboration with International Advanced Level and GCE A Level Teachers, as well as Higher Education Professors to validate the appropriateness of the qualification, including its content, skills development and assessment structure.

Pearson Edexcel are the UK's largest awarding body and we are regulated by Ofqual (England), SQA Accreditation (Scotland), CCEA Accreditation (Northern Ireland) and Qualifications Wales (Wales). They offer academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in names like Edexcel, BTEC, EDI and LCCI.

Progression

By successfully completing this course and the associated exams, you can progress to:

• International Advanced Level, for example in Biology
• GCE Advanced Level, for example in Biology
• Level 3 vocational qualifications in Science, for example, BTEC Level 3 in Applied Science
• Other comparable, Level 3 qualifications, such as Access to Higher Education Diplomas
• Employment, for example in a science-based industry where an apprenticeship may be available

Frequently Asked Questions