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Pearson Edexcel
Enjoy discovering the key processes and systems that support life itself – from a simple protozoa to the complexity of the human body or a vast ecosystem – with our online AS level Biology course.
As you explore topics such as cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis, the human genome, biodiversity and forensic biology, you’ll learn how to critically evaluate scientific information and evidence and gain a broader understanding of how biology shapes everyday life.
AS levels give students the opportunity to start studying a subject in depth and think about whether they want to carry and study for an A level. AS levels are useful for university applicants who need to top up their UCAS points, or for students who want to study formally a subject they enjoy.
Our AS level Biology online course explores complex ideas using relevant, engaging topics using high-quality distance learning materials. Alongside subject knowledge, you’ll develop research, problem-solving, organisational and analytical skills – all highly sought by universities and employers.
You’ll have the flexibility to fit study around your lifestyle, learning at your own pace, with access to the support of a specialist personal tutor. Like many NEC students, perhaps you’ll go on to study a science-based subject at university, or use your qualification to support your next career move?
Our Biology AS level course is ideal if you:
Future opportunities
Section 1: Lifestyle, health and risk
Section 2: Genes and health
Section 3: Voice of the genome
Section 4: Biodiversity and natural resources
Study AS level Biology with us and benefit from:
learn@nec
Choose when and where you access your course, using learn@nec our 24/7 learning platform.
This easy-to-use learning platform includes interactive checkpoints, quizzes and activities to help you evaluate your progress.
You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.
Meet Donal who is just one of our first-class biology tutors:
“My lifelong fascination with biology has led to a varied and interesting career. I worked at the Natural History Museum on insect taxonomy and the Commonwealth Institute for Biological Control where I studied the control of insect and plant pests using natural enemies. I also worked in government fisheries laboratories in England and Ireland and for ADAS on insects in field margins. In addition to teaching for the NEC I am an associate lecturer at the Open University, mainly in ecology and evolution. Previously, I was a teaching fellow for the OU developing new courses, and subsequently a staff tutor in Cambridge and Birmingham.”
Exam board
Format
Hours
*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams and some courses like English literature involve a lot of reading. Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect to spend longer than 150 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame or may be less if you are retaking a subject and have covered a lot of of the course content.
Assignments
Resources
Requirements
Our course fees are open and honest to help you plan for any additional costs.
Your course fee includes:
Your course fee does not cover:
Optional extras:
Two exams:
Non-exam assessment (NEA):
We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. In our experience, learning online works best when the parents are involved, so when you enrol your child with NEC, you’ll have a unique set of services to help you to support your child.
This includes:
Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.
A structured Fast Track A level course is particularly useful if you’re studying with a specific purpose in mind, like applying to university, and need your grades quickly, applying for a new job, or seeking promotion. Perhaps you’re retaking an A level and still want to apply to your chosen university?
NEC are offering structured Fast Track A levels in the following subjects:
The flexible nature of distance learning and home study courses means that it’s possible to do this, as long as you’re able to schedule in enough study time. What’s different about our structured Fast Track A level Biology course is that it has been specifically designed to follow a carefully considered 27 week study programme, providing you with the extra support you need to gain the all important grades you require.
Enrol before 15th September to secure your place.
It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 month repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.
To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.
Representative example:
Course fee: £450
Deposit: £45.00
Amount of credit: £405
Monthly payment: £33.75
Duration of agreement: 12 months
Total repayable: £450
Rate of interest: 0% (fixed)
0% APR representative.
The National Extension College (NEC) work with finance company Deko. For more information on our relationship with Deko and repayment plans click here.
learn@nec is our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
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