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Course overview
- Gain an official A Level Environmental Science qualification from AQA.
- Achieve up to 56 UCAS points to help you land your dream place at university.
- Nationally recognised accredited A Level qualification that is the same course offered in schools and colleges.
- No waiting around for the term to start, you can enrol today and start studying as soon as you are ready.
- Study this online A Level from home at your own pace.
- Benefit from the full support of your personal tutor via email.
- Choose to include exams and fieldwork and save up to £770*
- We have a 97% pass rate** with our A Levels!
Do you want to learn more about the science that affects the environment? This Environmental Science A Level course will teach you more about the conditions for life on earth, the sustainability of energy resources and agriculture, strategies to control pollutants, and biogeochemical cycles. You will also have the opportunity to complete fieldwork based on a range of habitats in Lincolnshire to further develop your understanding.
Depending on the degree and career you aspire to, the A Levels we recommend studying alongside this course are A Level Geography, A Level Chemistry, and A Level Biology.
Course fees:
Course Material – Online – £549 / Study Pack – £589
Course Material + Exams + Fieldwork – £2,164 / Study Pack – £2,204
- Monthly instalment plan available
- No government funding available for this course
Recognition
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
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Duration study load
You will have two years to complete your A Level Environmental Science course.
The only deadlines involved in studying this course are concerning the A Level exam timetables. Please see the exams and assessments section for more information on this.
Entry requirements
We recommend that you hold at least a grade 4/C in GCSE Combined Science, however, this is not essential.
Pathways
Degrees such as:
- environmental science
- ecology
- microbiology
- law
- geography
- conservation
Course features
When you enrol on this A Level course with OSC, you will receive:
- Dedicated personal tutor support with unlimited email access.
- Dedicated learner services from our learner services team.
- Course materials with learning activities.
- Assignment marking and feedback from your personal tutor.
- A predicted grade on completion of your tutor-marked assignments, if required for your university application.
- A free CV critique service and employability guide if you’re focusing on career advancement.
- A free Student Discounts membership to save you money on your favourite brands.
- A study pack including a pen, study planner, and notebook*.
- If you choose to add exams and fieldwork to your enrolment with an A Level package, then your exam and fieldwork fees will be included. We will also handle the booking on your behalf. Otherwise, we can refer you to one of our partner exam centres located throughout the UK so you can book your exams and fieldwork yourself.
* Not included with the online study option
Assessment
To achieve your A Level Environmental Science qualification, you must complete the exams and fieldwork required. There are two written exams for this course which will cover the topics studied on this course. A breakdown of the exam papers can be found in the following section.
When you enrol on your course, you will have the option to add your exams to your enrolment, or you can select the course-only option.
Fieldwork
As part of this course, you must undertake fieldwork that meets the minimum requirement of four days. You can choose to add this on with us as part of the exams and fieldwork package. The fieldwork will be based on a range of habitats in Lincolnshire.
Overall, at least 15% of the marks for your A Level Environmental Science qualification will come from the assessment of your fieldwork skills.
The fieldwork typically takes place in March each year, however, you will need to contact our team to find out the exact dates when you are ready to complete your fieldwork and exams as they must be done in the same year.
Choosing to add the exams and fieldwork package
If you choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, all you need to do is contact us when you are ready to complete your fieldwork and sit your exams, and we will book and pay for them on your behalf. Please note that the A Level exam timetable typically takes place during May and June each year. You are advised to contact us well in advance of when you intend to complete your fieldwork and exams so that we can confirm your place with the exam board – cut-off dates apply.
Please note, our A Level exam centre locations for this course are as follows:
- Doncaster
- Bolton
- Wimbledon
- Taunton
- St Neots, Cambridgeshire
- High Wycombe
- Romford
Your fieldwork will take place in Lincolnshire, so you must be able to travel to complete your fieldwork.
The course-only option
If you do not add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your assessments yourself. If you select this option, you must source and liaise with your chosen exam centre in order to book your exams and fieldwork, Open Study College will not be able to book your exams for you. In this instance, you are advised to contact AQA exam centres well in advance of their intended exam dates, as cut-off dates sometimes change.
Exam details
Paper 1
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 3 hours
- Weighing: 50% of A Level
- Total Marks: 120
- Assessed: Any content from sections 2, 3, 4 and 7
- Assessment format: A combination of multiple-choice, short-answer and extended writing questions
Paper 2
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 3 hours
- Weighing: 50% of A Level
- Total Marks: 120
- Assessed: Any content from sections 1, 5, 6 and 7
- Assessment format: A combination of multiple-choice, short-answer and extended writing questions
Fieldwork
Scientific research is a fundamental part of Environmental Science therefore students must undertake fieldwork which meets the minimum requirement of 4 days. Students will carry out an independent investigation in clear environmental contexts which involves the application of scientific methodologies and sampling techniques.
Knowledge and understanding of practical skills will be assessed within the written examinations. If you choose to add your exams and fieldwork with us, the fieldwork trip will take place in Lincolnshire.
Delivery
This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.
The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:
- Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
- Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.
UCAS
The final grade you achieve in your A Level will be translated into UCAS points. Based on your grade, you will be awarded up to 56 points per A Level which can then be added together to reach the UCAS points you need to be accepted by your chosen university.
To help you achieve the best possible grade from home, we recommend that you complete the tutor-marked assessments included in your course materials. These are designed to provide you with detailed feedback to help you fine-tune your technique before you sit your exam. Completing your tutor-marked assessments will also help your tutor to provide you with a predicted grade if this is required for your UCAS application.
Is this A Level the same qualification as an A Level I would achieve at a school or college?
Yes, you will study the same course, take the same exams and get the same qualification. The only difference is that our courses are designed to be studied from home at your own pace, and you will receive full tutor support via email.
Subjects
Specification: AQA 7447
- Conditions for life on Earth
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Life processes in the biosphere and conservation planning
- Opportunities for skills development and independent thinking
- The hydrosphere
- Mineral resources
- Biogeochemical cycles
- The importance of energy supplies in the development of society
- The impact of the features of energy resources
- The sustainability of current energy resource exploitation
- Strategies to secure future energy supplies
- New energy conservation technologies
- The properties of pollutants
- Strategies to control pollutants
- Ionising radiation
- Noise
- Solid wastes
- Heavy metals
- Acid mine drainage
- Nutrient pollution
- Pesticides
- Agriculture
- Agroecosystems
- Sustainability of agriculture
- Aquatic food production systems
- Forest resources
- Dynamic equilibria
- Energy
- Material cycles
- The circular economy
- Scientific methodologies
- Sampling techniques
- Specialist techniques
- Fieldwork and laboratory activities
- Standard environmental techniques
About Open Study College
Established in 2007, Open Study College is a distance learning course provider that has helped over 130,000 learners take the next step towards achieving their ambitions.
With over 700 courses, ranging from A Levels and GCSEs through to childcare and beauty therapy — there’s something for everyone. All of their qualifications are independently accredited by established awarding organisations, fully equipping you for the future.
Why choose Open Study College?
Whether you’re in full-time work or have family commitments, distance learning at Open Study College provides the flexibility to create a study schedule that fits around the busy demands of day-to-day life. Accomplish your goals — at your pace, on your terms.
You will also receive the best possible support from the uber-friendly learner services team, as well as guidance from expert tutors who are on hand to answer any queries you might have throughout the duration of your course.
What makes Open Study College different?
Born from a genuine passion to improve the lives of others through education, Open Study College is a family-run business with decades of experience in the education and distance learning industry.
Seeking a career change? Didn’t get the exam results you wanted? Looking to learn a new skill? Enrol on one of their courses today and forge the future you’ve always wanted — all from the comfort of your own home!
Additional benefits
As an Open Study College learner, your benefits will include an XO Student Discounts membership, exclusive savings on future courses and a complete range of career support — including a free CV critique service, a free employability guide, and job-hunting help from their recruitment experts.
