Biology Fast Track A levels
Pearson Edexcel
Complete the course within a year and gain the all-important grades you need with our Structured Fast Track A level Biology course.
Multi-buy Structured Fast Track A levels:
- £299 off 2 Structured Fast Track Courses (online enter code: SFTMB2)
- £560 off 3 Structured Fast Track Courses (online enter code: SFTMB3)
Complete an online A level in a year and fast track your journey to success.
Enrolments for September 2024 start date to be ready to sit exams in Summer 2025 commencing soon.
Register your interest now – book a call with our Course Advice Team or email info@nec.ac.uk, phone 0800 389 2839.
Our Structured Fast Track A level Biology course has been written and developed by experts, and specially designed to give you extra support in order to ace your A level within a year. Through access to group forums and live seminars covering each section of the course, you will be able to share ideas with your fellow students and ask questions of your tutor ‘in-class’.
Enrol before the September start date and hit the ground running with our specially designed GCSE to A level transition materials and an interactive quiz that finds (and plugs!) any learning gaps.
Watch the video to find out more:
Each Structured Fast Track A level features:
- Introductory section to help you transition from GCSE to A level study, including an interactive quiz that identifies any learning gaps and directs you to tailored refresher topics
- A comprehensive induction programme starting early September
- Course activities and learning objectives which have been carefully considered to help you complete the course within a year
- Expert tutor support; Our tutors are qualified teachers, experienced in online learning and examinations, and committed to supporting our learners. Your tutor will be available to answer questions and provide academic support through the learn@nec messaging system throughout your studies
- Regular live seminars with your tutor; ask your tutor questions ‘in-class’ and interact with your fellow students studying the course (also available to watch back on-demand)
- Tutor-led forums; actively engage in discussions with your tutor and peers. Your tutor will clarify discussion points and lead debate that will advance your understanding of the key ideas raised during the course.
- Innovative and Interactive course materials
- Past paper marking by a qualified tutor
- A mid-course review; Your tutor will review your progress on the course and provide detailed feedback that will identify gaps in your learning and offer actionable advice to improve your outcome
- Student Support team on hand to support you throughout the duration of your studies
- UCAS Application service; If you are heading to University, NEC will support you in your UCAS application. Our application service includes a predicted grade and personalised reference from your course tutor.
“I found distance learning with NEC to be an ideal way to study and gain the knowledge needed to make the transition into a new career path.” – Darius, Structured Fast Track student
Our Structured Fast Track A level Biology course has been specifically designed to follow a carefully considered 36-week study programme, providing you with the extra support you need to gain the all-important grades you require.
You and a small cohort of fellow students will attend regular live seminars with your course tutor and actively engage with the subject through tutor-led forums, interactive learning activities and quality course materials.
The course is fully online and can be studied anywhere, anytime, to fit in with your lifestyle. Included within the course is a mid-course review, past-paper marking and UCAS service to make sure you are fully prepared for the exams and the next stage of your learning journey.
NEC’s Structured Fast Track A level Biology course will follow the same topics as Pearson Edexcel’s biology A level but has a set schedule, allowing you to complete the course within one academic year rather than two.
Section 1: Lifestyle, health and risk
- What is cardiovascular disease?
- Who is at risk of cardiovascular disease?
- Risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
- Biochemistry involved in cardiovascular disease?
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
Section 2: Genes and health
- The effects of cystic fibrosis on the lungs
- Why is CF mucus so sticky?
- The roles of proteins and enzymes
- How is the CFTR protein made?
- How is cystic fibrosis inherited?
- Testing for CF
Section 3: Voice of the genome
- Cells and their components
- In the beginning
- From one to many: the cell cycle
- How development is controlled
- Genes and environment
Section 4: Biodiversity and natural resources
- Why are there so many different species?
- How did organisms become so well adapted?
- Classification and speciation
- Plant cells and tissues
- Making use of biodiversity in plants
- On the brink
Section 5: On the wild side
- What is an ecosystem?
- Ecosystems rely on energy transfer
- Global climate change
- Predicting and coping with future climate change
- Adapt or die
- Getting the balance right
Section 6: Infection, immunity and forensics
- Forensic biology
- Cause of death
- The body’s response to infection
- Could the infections have been prevented?
- Are there treatments for AIDS and TB?
Section 7: Run for your life
- Getting moving
- Energy for action
- Peak performance
- Breaking out in a sweat
- Overdoing it
- Improving on nature
Section 8: Grey matter
- The nervous system and nerve impulses
- Reception of stimuli
- The brain
- Visual development and making sense of what we see
- Learning and memory
- Problems with synapses
- Genetic modifications: risks and benefits
Assessment
Exams (three):
- 33.3% of marks (2 hours)
- 33.3% of marks (2 hours)
- 33.3% of marks (2 hours)
The exams are written, with no practical element, but throughout the exam you will be expected to use your understanding of practical theory – gained through the 18 core practicals within your course – to answer questions.
Non-exam assessment (NEA):
There is an optional practical endorsement available for the A level Biology qualification. This NEA is an additional assessment providing an opportunity to demonstrate practical skills as well as knowledge. The endorsement is reported as a separate grade and does not contribute to the result of the A level qualification.
However, some universities require the completion of practical endorsements for STEM undergraduate courses, such as medicine. In these cases, we’ve got you covered. NEC can organise Practical Endorsements at one of our partnership centres. If you’re unsure, we recommend double-checking with your desired university.
Need help booking exams?
With our exam booking service, you are guaranteed an exam place at one of our partnership centres. When the time comes, simply fill out an application form and we’ll do the rest. Find out more.
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:
- Your own log in to learn@nec to access the course so you can view the course materials and other information for yourself.
- Access to your child’s gradebook to help you to monitor progress and provide appropriate and timely intervention and support
- You’ll receive emails and forum posts so that you have all the examination and assessment updates/information provided by the NEC team
- Dedicated Progress Portal Pages and targeted blogs with updates/information/help and advice on many aspects of home education.
Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.
Would you like to talk to our Course Advice Team about the best route for you? Visit our Contact Us page, fill in the form and a member of the team will get back to you!
