Biology iGCSE

Unit 1 – The nature and variety of living things

• Characteristics of living things
• Animals and plants
• Fungi and protoctists
• Bacteria and viruses

Unit 2 – Structure in living organisms

• From cells to systems
• Cell structure
• Biological molecules
• Enzymes
• Movement of substances

Unit 3 – Nutrition, respiration and gas exchange

• Plant nutrition and growth
• Food and diet
• The digestive system and digestion
• Respiration
• Gas exchange

Unit 4 – Transport in living things

• The need for transport systems
• Moving food and water in plants
• Blood and immunity
• The heart and circulation

Unit 5 – Excretion

• Excretion in plants
• The organs of excretion in animals
• The urinary system

Unit 6 – Coordination and response

• Responding to the environment
• Response to stimuli in plants
• The nervous system
• Homeostasis and temperature regulation
• Hormones

Unit 7 – Reproduction

• Reproduction in plants
• Reproduction in humans
• Roles of hormones in reproduction and development

Unit 8 – Inheritance

• Chromosomes and DNA
• Protein synthesis
• Genetic variation and evolution
• Monohybrid inheritance
• Mitosis and meiosis

Unit 9 – Ecology and the environment

• Organisms in the environment
• Feeding relationships
• Cycles within ecosystems
• Human influence on the environment

Unit 10 – Using biological resources

• Crop plants
• Micro-organisms in food production
• Fish farming
• Selective breeding
• Genetic modification and cloning

All enrolments will be for the June 2019 exam period. You’ll be required to complete the two GCSE written exams.

Official exams

• 2 hours, 61% of marks
• 1 hour 15 minutes, 39% of marks

We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our exam centres around the Country, to take away the hassle of needing to find your own.  Check where your closest exam centre is.

Assignments

During your course, you will also be required complete one introductory assignment, 10 assignments and 14 core practicals which don’t contribute to your final grade but will prepare you for your final examinations. There is no coursework to complete. All exams must be taken in the same session.

Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive an iGCSE in Biology, issued by EdExcel. This syllabus has been chosen specifically because it is the best suited to distance learning.

You will benefit from our personal tutor support for a period of up to 18 months from the date of enrolment. If you need longer, this, of course can be arranged.

Our course is delivered via our online learning platform as this provides learners with a dynamic and engaging experience. Don’t worry, if you prefer, you can print the learning materials yourself. The learning resources are in a range of different media including videos, e-books, and online quizzes.

Is this the same qualification as a GCSE from a traditional School or College?

Yes! You study the same curriculum, take the same examinations and get the same qualification. The only difference is that the course is specially designed to be studied from home in your own time. You certificate comes directly from the awarding body.

Tell me about my Tutor Support?

You will have access to your personal tutor, via phone and email, who will mark your assignments and guide you through the course to help you get ready for your examinations. In addition, you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process. Assignments are marked by your personal tutor within 3 days. Your personal tutor will be highly experienced in their subject area and qualified to teach.

What is included in the cost of my course?

We provide all of the written learning materials you require to study this course. The course fee also includes personal tutor support, coursework administration and assignment marking.

Are there any additional costs?

You will be required to pay independently for your final examinations. Costs vary between test centres. Details of our guaranteed test centres are included with your course materials.

Is there a required reading list?

Yes, but this course is self-contained so no additional textbooks are required, all texts are included within the course. We do, however, provide an additional list of supporting texts that students may find useful, but not essential.

Where can I sit my exams?

We are able to offer places at our our exam centres across the UK for our students, therefore, guaranteeing an exam venue. If you choose to find your own exam centre, you can, you will need to register with them as an external or private candidate. Fees vary across the country so we recommend enquiring prior to enrollment.

What if I live outside the UK?

That’s the beauty of distance learning; you are able to study this course anywhere and there are some international test centres but we strongly recommend you take the examinations within the UK as this is the only guaranteed way to ensure access to an examination centre.

What do I do if I still have questions?

Please check our FAQs section or Contact Us, we are happy to answer any more questions you may have.

Additional information