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Course overview
- Achieve an accredited AQA GCSE Biology Foundation Tier qualification.
- Gain an understanding of biological facts, concepts and principles.
- Develop your interest in the study of living organisms.
- Gain a recognised qualification for further studies.
- Choose to study online or via printed materials with a study pack.
- Enrol on a package to include exams and practicals and we’ll book your exams for you!
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the UK’s most widely recognised certification for the end of secondary school education. It is often the entry-level requirement to further study, such as A Levels and apprenticeships.
This GCSE Biology foundation tier course will teach you about living organisms and is ideal for those wanting to go on to study A-level biology, progress into a biology-related career, or even just purely for knowledge.
This course can be completed without taking the exams and practicals, however, to achieve the recognised GCSE biology qualification you must take an exam and practical assessments. If you add on the exams and practicals with your enrolment, we will book and pay for your exams and practical sessions on your behalf.
Please note, with this Foundation Tier Biology the highest grade you can achieve is 5. Students who fail to meet the minimum standard for grade 1 will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a qualification certificate. For students wishing to achieve grades 4-9, please choose our GCSE Biology – Higher Tier.
Course fees:
Course Material – Online – £499 / Study Pack – £539
Course Material + Exams + Practicals: Online – £1,164 / Study Pack – £1,204
- 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 have one full year to complete your course which starts from your enrolment date. During this time, you have access to full tutor support through email.
Entry requirements
You do not need any previous knowledge to enrol on this course. This course is for students aiming to achieve grades 1-5.
If you wish to study towards grades 4-9 choose our GCSE Biology Higher Tier.
Pathways
- A Level biology
Course features
Included in the cost of our GCSE Biology course is the following:
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated learner services
- Formal accreditation if exams are taken
- Assignment marking and feedback
- Free CV critique service
- Free employability guide to help you impress future employers when getting a job
- Free XO Student Discounts membership
- Open Study College pen, highlighter, and notebook*
* Not included with the online study option
Assessment
To achieve a GCSE Foundation Tier in Biology you will be assessed across the above sections.
In order to successfully complete the GCSE Biology course, you will need to pass two GCSE written examinations and undertake a series of practicals. These must be conducted under supervision at an examination centre.
Questions in the written exams will draw on the knowledge and understanding students have gained by carrying out the practical activities. These questions will count for at least 15% of the overall marks for the qualification.
This course comes with the option of including practicals and exams in the cost of the course. We will book and pay for these on your behalf when you’re ready to take them if you choose to add on exams.
If you choose to add your exams and practicals to your enrolment, you will need to sit your exams at our GCSE exam centre in Birmingham.
A more detailed breakdown of the assessment details is provided below.
Course outcome
Once you have studied the course and successfully passed the examinations, you will be awarded your AQA GCSE biology.
You will achieve grade between 1-5 with the higher tier paper. If you just fail to achieve grade 4, you will be awarded an allowed grade 3.
Students who fail to meet the minimum standard for an allowed grade 3 will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive a qualification certificate.
For students wishing to study towards grades 4-9, please choose our GCSE Biology Higher Tier course.
Exam details
Paper 1
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Weighing: 50% of GCSE
- Total Marks: 100
Question type: multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
Assessed: Topics 1-4 (cell biology; organisation; infection and response; bioenergetics)
Paper 2
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Weighing: 50% of the GCSE
- Total Marks: 100
Question type: multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
Assessed: Topics 5-7 (homeostasis and response; inheritance, variation and evolution; ecology)
Practical assessment
You will undertake required practical activities to enhance your investigative thinking, improve techniques and consolidate understanding of key scientific concepts. You will be required to attend the exam centre laboratory to conduct the practical session. This is a mandatory component of the qualification. Although you will not be assessed on your performance, there will be questions in your written exams related to the practical activities.
Delivery
Study for your GCSE biology around your life commitments. Whether that’s alongside work, college, or family, you can study at a pace that suits you.
Choose to study online or from a course pack where you’ll get printed materials sent to you in the post. As long as you have your study materials, you can study wherever you want.
Tutor support is available through email, so help is only a click away!
Is an online GCSE the same qualification as a GCSE from a school or college?
Yes! Our online GCSEs are exactly the same as those studied in school or college, accredited by awarding body AQA. We have to undergo rigorous assessments to ensure our course content is up to AQA’s standard.
Subjects
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.
