Biology

A Level Biology (OCR)

Please note: To study this course, you must meet the general Sixth Form entry requirements as well as the subject-specific entry requirements listed below.

View General Sixth Form Entry Requirements

Year 12

In Year 12 students study: 

• Development of Practical Skills
• Foundations in Biology
• Exchange and Transport
• Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease

Year 13

• Communications, Homeostasis and Energy
• Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystem

Assessment Methods

Students will sit terminal exams consisting of 3 papers. Paper 1 & 2 will last 2 hr 15 mins and have a weighting of 37% each towards the final mark. Paper 3 will last 1 hr 30 mins and has a weighting of 26%. The course has a non-exam assessed practical skills component which is reported separately from the final grade as a practical endorsement.

Why Study?

Biology can lead to a wide range of degree courses and careers in science such as Genetics,Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Ecology and Nature Conservation. It is a necessary prerequisite for many health-related careers.

What Our Students Say  

'My favourite aspect of A Level Biology is that the way some topics are interlinked allows me to form ideas about new topics using my knowledge of the previous topics. Once you start the course, you will explore everything in a more detailed way than you did in your GCSEs, which is one of the most exciting things about sixth form! The advice I would give you for A Level Biology is to approach every topic with interest, do wider reading on the topics that interest you and find your own way of learning in your revision. A Level Biology at SFH6 gives students the chance to learn about a wide range of subfields in biology from human biology to ecology and evolution. If you are interested in understanding the scientific principles that underpin life and apply them in real life, this is the subject for you.'

Entry Requirements

Grade 6 in Biology and 1 other Science, or a grade 6 in Combined Science and Grade 6 in Maths.