Biology A Level 3

Skinners School Academy Trust, The

, St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9PG

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

The Skinners School Academy Trust

1 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

NULL

Please contact the provider directly to apply for this course.

Application Instructions

Applications Open: - 8th October 2025

Applications Close:- 20th August 2026

How to Apply: - Please contact The Skinners’ School directly to apply. We do not accept applications via KentChoices

Please see here for more information about our Sixth Form and to complete an application form.

Course Summary

In Year 12 you are likely to be taking four subjects. You may want to take Biology with other sciences and Mathematics in which case they will support each other. Alternatively, you may be taking other subjects and want to continue with Biology as a contrasting subject. If you are thinking of taking Biology through to Year13 Level, then it is advantageous to study some supporting subjects such as Chemistry, Mathematics or Geography.

In the A-level Biology course you will learn more about how the cells and bodies of living things are biochemically organised to perform life processes and how living things co-exist and interact. You will also learn about human diseases and how we protect ourselves against them. We hope that you will gain some understanding of the dynamic and exciting nature of Biology today and an awareness of how much there is yet to be discovered. Biology is a practical subject so you will develop experimental skills and an understanding of the scientific method, this will be assessed by keeping a portfolio of practical work which may be moderated externally.

Course Details

Content for the whole A level is split into six teaching modules:

Module 1 – Development of practical skills in biology

Module 2 – Foundations in biology

Module 3 – Exchange and transport

Module 4 – Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Module 5 – Communication, homeostasis and energy

Module 6 – Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

How will it be delivered and assessed?

In Year 13 there are 3 papers:

Paper 1 assesses modules 1, 2, 3 & 5 (Papers 1 & 2 have multiple choice & structured questions)

Paper 2 assesses modules 1, 2, 4 and 6.

Paper 3 assesses all modules. This has structured questions and extended response questions with

particular reference to practical skills and methods developed on the course

There is also a non-exam practical component which is assessed within school

Module 1 covers: Skills of planning, implementing analysis and evaluation of practical investigations.

Module 2 covers: Cell structure, Biological molecules, Cell division and Cellular organisation.

Module 3 covers: Exchange surfaces, Transport in plants, Transport in animals.

Entry requirements

The GCSE Biology course you have studied should have provided a sound foundation for the A-Level course. We recommend that you have reached at least a Grade 7 at GCSE (8 or 9 is better) and that you felt comfortable with the Chemistry you were taught. At A level, Biochemistry is a major component of the course and is fundamental to your understanding of how biological systems work. At least grade 4 in English Language and Maths at GCSE.

Your next steps...

An A Level qualification in Biology could prepare you to study Biology or one of the Biological Sciences in Further or Higher Education. There are a great range of courses on offer, some being quite specialised while others are very broad allowing you to delay your decision to specialise. Biology at A Level provides a good foundation for courses in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, animal health, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, environmental science, geography, geology, agriculture, plant science and many others.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.