Biology A-Level

Applications open: 10 November 2025

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

OCR A-Level Biology (A)

It is a 100% examination qualification; you are required to complete a minimum of 9 PAGs to allow you to meet the practical requirements of the A-level. This includes a required fieldwork component for which there is a minimal cost. This non exam assessment will give students opportunities to use relevant apparatus and techniques to develop and demonstrate specific practical skills.

A wide range of topics are covered from finding out about how the human body works to understanding the natural environment. The biology A-level is a challenging qualification, and it will require you to complete additional reading outside of the timetabled lessons.

Exams are made up of a mixture of different length questions ranging from 1 mark up to 10 marks. Papers will consist of multiple-choice questions, shorter structured questions that will be designed to test mainly knowledge and understanding of the specification content of the particular topics. Longer questions will also test the students’ skills of interpretation and evaluation of data. Students may be required to apply their knowledge and understanding of biology to situations that they have not seen before.

You will complete 6 modules whilst studying the qualification, the course is traditional in its content.

Year 12 content

Module 1 – Development of Practical skills in Biology

Skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation

Module 2 – Foundations in Biology

Cell structure; Biological molecules; Nucleotides and nucleic acids; Enzymes; Biological membranes; Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation

Module 3 – Exchange and Transport

Exchange surfaces, Transport in animals, Transport in plants

Module 4 – Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease

Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system, Biodiversity, Classification and evolution.

Year 13 content

Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy

Communication and homeostasis, Excretion as an example of homeostatic control, Neuronal communication, Hormonal communication, Plant and animal responses, Photosynthesis, Respiration.

Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems

Cellular control, Patterns of inheritance, Manipulating genomes, Cloning and biotechnology, Ecosystems, Populations and sustainability

You will have 3 exams

1st component = 37% exam is 2hr 15 covers modules 1, 2, 3 and 5

2nd component = 37% exam is 2hr 15 covers modules 1, 2, 4 and 6

3rd component = 26% exam is 1hr 30 covers modules 1 to 6.

Grade 6 6 in Combined Science or 6-9 in GCSE Biology if taken. Also grade 5-9 in GCSE Maths

Medicine

Biomedical sciences

Biochemistry

Environment sciences

Physical sciences