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A Level Biology

Study Method Online
Provider Lift College
Recognition AQA, Ofqual
Start Date Enrol anytime
Lift College

Course overview

A Level Biology (AQA) is a Level 3 regulated qualification (Ofqual QAN 601/4625/4, specification 7402) that is the same qualification offered in UK schools and sixth-form colleges. It is accepted by every UK university, earns up to 56 UCAS points, and is essential for medicine, nursing, biomedical science, and veterinary study. The course is studied 100% online with UK tutor support, and written exams are sat at an approved centre.

Who's It For?

  • Those who need A-Level Biology at grade B or above to apply for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing or bioscience degrees.
  • Learners who can commit to three 2-hour written papers in a single May/June series — AQA 7402 has no coursework component.
  • Those comfortable with quantitative work: statistical tests, rates of reaction and percentage change.
  • Those who already hold GCSE Biology or Combined Science at grade 5–6 and GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above, or are willing to close that gap first.
  • Learners happy to enter as a private candidate through an AQA-approved centre.
  • Those who want a Level 3 qualification that carries UCAS tariff points and is accepted by every UK university.

Job outcomes

  • Biomedical Scientist
  • Doctor (GP or hospital medicine)
  • Secondary School Biology Teacher
  • Laboratory Technician

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What you'll learn

The specification covers:

  • Cell biology and biochemistry
  • Genetics and inheritance
  • Physiology and systems biology
  • Ecology and ecosystems
  • Principles of scientific investigation, including practical skills assessed through written questions in the final examinations
  • Quantitative work: statistical tests, rates of reaction and percentage change

Recognitions

AQA

Accredited/ Certified by AQA

Ofqual

Accredited/ Certified by Ofqual

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
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Duration study load

Typical duration is 12 to 18 months. There is no minimum study commitment; as a guide, most learners spend around 6 to 12 hours a week, but the course flexes around individual pace and lifestyle.

Delivery

The course is studied 100% online with UK tutor support. Written exams are sat at an approved centre. Learners can start at any time — there are no fixed term dates or cohorts. Study can be done from a phone, tablet or laptop at any time.

Entry requirements

  • Must be aged 18 or over to enrol.
  • GCSE in the same or a related subject at grade 4 (C) or above is recommended but not always required. Some subjects (e.g. A Level Maths, A Level Sciences) strongly assume GCSE grade 6+.
  • A reliable internet connection, computer or tablet, and basic word-processing skills.
  • Willingness to attend an approved exam centre for written exams.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Full A Level qualification awarded by AQA (specification 7402)
  • Earns up to 56 UCAS points
  • Personal named UK subject tutor from enrolment through to exam series
  • Exam-style practice questions in every unit with individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days
  • Progress tracking dashboard showing unit scores, topic strengths and areas to revisit
  • Optional exam readiness check with tutor, including a timed mock paper
  • AI Study Assistant and learner community forum
  • Start any time — no fixed term dates
  • 7-day free trial on every sign-up, cancel any time
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Resubmit work at no extra cost
  • Optional study planner
  • Support team available by phone, email or live chat

Work placement

The CPAC practical endorsement requires attendance at one of 5 laboratory centres (Bolton, Coventry, Mitcham, Newcastle and Taunton) where the 12 required practical activities are completed and assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria.

Professional Recognition

This qualification is awarded by AQA, an Ofqual-regulated UK awarding organisation. It is regulated under the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 3 and is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. It is accepted by every UK university, recognised by UCAS, and independently quality checked through IQA and EQA.

Assessment

A Level Biology (AQA 7402) is assessed by three written papers taken in May or June, plus a separate practical endorsement.

  • Paper 1: 2 hours, 91 marks, 35%. Topics 1 to 4 and relevant practical skills. Short and long answer questions plus a 15-mark extended response.
  • Paper 2: 2 hours, 91 marks, 35%. Topics 5 to 8 and relevant practical skills. Short and long answer questions plus a 15-mark comprehension question.
  • Paper 3: 2 hours, 78 marks, 30%. Any content from topics 1 to 8. Structured questions on practical techniques (38 marks), critical analysis of experimental data (15 marks), and one essay chosen from two titles (25 marks).

Practical endorsement (CPAC): 12 required practical activities assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria, reported separately as a Pass on your certificate. At least 15% of written marks assess practical skills.

Grading: A* to E, with U below E. The practical endorsement is reported separately.

Written papers are sat at any of 10 approved exam centres: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton. The CPAC practical endorsement is delivered at 5 laboratory centres: Bolton, Coventry, Mitcham, Newcastle and Taunton.

Additional information

Exams are sat at Tutors and Exams centres — a specialist private candidate exam provider — at 10 approved centres across England: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton. The exam centre is chosen when booking the exam series.

AQA explicitly permits private candidates from distance-learning providers to enter as private candidates through AQA-approved centres.

Delivered by Lift College (UKPRN: 10102267), Brentwood, Essex.

Payment options

Course fees:

Study: £509.99 or £49.99 per month

Study + Exams: £917.99 or £89.99 per month

Study + Exams & CPAC: £1,223.99 or £119.99

  • Pay monthly with no interest — cancel any time, no credit checks, no contract

  • Pay annually and save versus monthly pricing

  • Pause or cancel any time

  • Employer sponsorship paperwork available on request

  • 7-day free trial on every option — nothing charged until after the trial

  • Three subscription tiers available: Study (tuition only, arrange your own exams), +Exams (tuition plus exam entry and centre fees), and +Exams & CPAC (includes CPAC practical endorsement)

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Lift College

Lift College is a fully online UK education provider dedicated to A-Levels and GCSEs. Every course is designed, taught and assessed to give adult and independent learners a genuine second route into the qualifications employers, universities and colleges recognise. All teaching happens online. Learners study on our purpose-built online campus with a named UK tutor, structured modules, marked assignments and an AI Study Assistant that answers questions instantly and points learners to the exact page of the specification they need. There is no timetable to keep, no travel, and no fixed start date. Learners begin any day of the year, pause and resume when life gets busy, and move through the material at whatever pace works for them. Every course starts with a 7-day free trial. Learners get full access to the online campus, tutor support, and study materials from day one, and nothing is charged until the trial ends. After the trial, learners have a further 14-day refund period, so there is no financial risk in trying Lift College properly before committing. After that, courses run on a simple monthly subscription with exam entry included. There is no contract, no commitment, no exit fees, no credit checks, and no risk. Learners can cancel or pause at any time, for any reason, in a couple of clicks from their dashboard. Written exams are sat in person at established private-candidate exam centres across England, with entry, venue and invigilation arranged for the learner in advance. Every A-Level and GCSE is delivered to the same awarding-body specifications, and results in the same certificates, as those awarded in schools and colleges. UKPRN 10102267.

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