Biology

Applications Open - 10th November 2025

Applications Close - 31st January 2026

Entry Requirements - For entry into year 12 to begin A Level and/or vocational courses, students must meet the minimum requirements in English and Mathematics (grade 4), however most courses require significantly higher grades in certain other GCSE subjects to access them.

How to Apply -

• Internal students – apply via Applicaa (school have emailed all students a link)
• External Students – apply using Applicaa from the Trinity School website under Sixth Form - Apply here

Students are required to study a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 subjects.

• If you enjoyed the biology units of your GCSE course and want to know more about these topics in greater depth and complexity, then this may be the course for you.

Skills Acquired
There are a number of skills that are developed, such as:

• How to collect data and evaluate it
• How to investigate facts and use deduction
• How to put your point of view across effectively
• How to take responsibility for your own learning

Students Suited To The Course
Students that enjoy the practical aspect of biology, have a natural curiosity about the living world works and can work independently are well suited to the course. It is important to have an understanding that there are also huge literacy and mathematical components to the course.

What Other Subjects It Combines Well With
Students who take Biology A Level often combine it with a wide range of subjects. However, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Geography all work particularly well in combination with Biology.

Co-curricular
Trips and visits, Biology Challenge, Biology Week.

The course is split into ten discrete topic areas, with five being studied in Year 12 and five in Year 13. Each topic builds on what was studied at GCSE and takes the subject into more depth and complexity.

Unit Content

Year 12

• Topic 1: Biological Molecules
• Topic 2: Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
• Topic 3: Classification and Biodiversity
• Topic 4: Exchange and Transport
• Topic 5: Energy for Biological Processes

Year 13

• Topic 6: Microbiology and Pathogens
• Topic 7: Modern Genetics
• Topic 8: Origin of Genetic Variation
• Topic 9: Control Systems
• Topic 10: Ecosystems
  

There are three papers consisting of a range of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions:

Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes long (90 marks) with 30% weighting
Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes long (90 marks) with 30% weighting
Paper 3: 2 hours 30 minutes long(120 marks) with 40% weighting

There is no coursework, but there is a practical component to the course. Students are expected to complete specific core practical-based questions also in the exams. There is also a teacher-assessed practical competency. This is reported alongside the A level grade, but does not count towards the grade. 10% of the assessment will also be assessing mathematical skills.

GCSE grade 7 in Biology (Single Science) or grade 7-7 in the Biology component of Combined Science. GCSE grade 5 in Maths.

With A Level Biology, you can go on to study a range of related courses at university. There are too many to list, but examples include Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Forensics, Nursing, Zoology, Sports Science, Veterinary Science and Microbiology. There are many diverse careers that involve biology, such as medicine, care work, the emergency and uniformed services, healthcare, laboratory science and environmental science to name a few.