A LEVEL
Biology
Biology is the study of life in all its forms, exploring how living systems grow, adapt and connect.
At St Paul’s, you won’t just study Biology; you will explore the living world in all its complexity, asking questions about how life works, evolves, and adapts.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
Biology at St Paul’s taught me to see challenges as opportunities. The support from my teachers gave me the confidence to aim higher than I thought possible.
Why Choose Biology at St Paul’s?
Our Biology department combines expert teaching with a supportive atmosphere where every student can thrive.
- Smaller class sizes mean more tailored attention and personalised support.
- Passionate, specialist teachers bring Biology to life, from molecules to ecosystems, sparking curiosity and wonder.
- A community that knows and values every student, ensuring no one is left behind as you explore the living world together.
- A subject that opens doors to future study and careers in medicine, research, environmental science, and beyond.
- A place where you can grow in confidence, think critically, and celebrate your discoveries.
Where Biology Can Take You
Our Biology students go on to study medicine, biomedical sciences, environmental science, and psychology at top universities, or pursue apprenticeships where their analytical and research skills make them stand out.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
What You’ll Study
You’ll deepen your understanding of the living world, developing the scientific curiosity and investigative skills that universities and employers value.
In Biology, you’ll explore life from molecules to ecosystems:
Core Biology – cell biology, organisation, bioenergetics, inheritance and variation, and evolution.
Applied Biology – homeostasis and response, infection and immunity, ecology, and gene expression.
Full details of the course can be found in the exam board’s official AQA specification.
You will develop analytical, practical, and research skills for careers in medicine, biosciences, and environmental science.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
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Biology Exam Results
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PASS RATE
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achieved
A* to C
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achieved
A* to B
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achieved
A* to A
Entry Requirements
In addition to our standard entry requirements, a number of our courses have specific entry requirements to ensure you are ready to thrive in the subject. For Biology, you’ll need:
- Grade 6+ in two sciences including Biology
- Grade 6+ in Mathematics
These requirements are in place to help set you up for success and make sure you have the right foundation to enjoy the challenge of Sixth Form study.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
Hear From Our Students
Maths at St Paul’s really boosted my confidence. The teachers never let you struggle alone, they always explained things in different ways until it clicked. Because of that support, I achieved more than I thought I could and now I’m planning to study Engineering at university. It’s opened so many doors for me.
In lower school the larger class size made me rarely feel like I was fully challenged to improve my mathematical abilities. However, the small classes at A-Level in St Paul’s has boosted my confidence a lot, as the teachers get to know you well and are always there to support you. Maths is also a great asset to have for university applications.
Maths is an awesome subject. I enjoy the challenging aspect of problem solving and greatly appreciate the support that the Maths department at St Paul’s is always happy and ready to give.
Dr M Tickner
SUBJECT LEADER FOR SCIENCES
Thank you so much for your interest in Biology at A Level. We have a fabulous team of energetic and enthusiastic specialists at St Paul’s ready to support you on your journey. Â
Should you have any questions at all about studying Biology at A Level, or the possible career paths beyond College, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Send me a message
We’d love to hear from you, whether you want to talk about subject choices, entry requirements, or your future career ideas.
Are you ready to explore life in all its complexity, from the microscopic to the global?
Start your Biology journey at St Paul’s.
Whatever course you choose, you’ll be joining a community where every student is known and loved. Our mission is not just to help you succeed academically, but to help you grow as a person, supported and celebrated every step of the way.
BiologyCourse Content
This course offers students the opportunity to study life itself, and explore the theories and principles involved in living systems.
The course is taught in eight units:
- Biological molecules
- Cells
- Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Energy transfers in and between organisms
- Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
- Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
- The control of gene expression
| PAPER 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CONTENT |
Any content from topics 1-4 including relevant practical skills |
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WEIGHT |
35% (91 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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Paper 1 comprises of the following question types:
- A mixture of short and long answer questions (76 marks)
- Extended response questions (15 marks)
| PAPER 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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CONTENT |
Any content from topics 5-8 including relevant practical skills |
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WEIGHT |
35% (91 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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Paper 2 comprises of the following question types:
- A mixture of short and long answer questions (76 marks)
- Comprehension question (15 marks)
| PAPER 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
CONTENT |
Any content from topics 1-8 including relevant practical skills |
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WEIGHT |
30% (78 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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Paper 3 comprises of the following question types:
- Structured questions including practical techniques (38 marks)
- Critical analysis of given experimental data (15 marks)
- One essay from a choice of two titles (25 marks)
