GCSE Biology – Higher Tier
Course Codes
OSC1358 / OSC1359
Achieve your GCSE Biology Higher Tier qualification with this distance learning course from Open Study College. With our online GCSEs, you can gain an official qualification whilst you study whenever and wherever suits you.
- Achieve an accredited AQA GCSE Biology Higher 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 add exams and practicals to your enrolment and we'll organise and book these for you!
Course overview
GCSEs are recognised qualifications that are often a gateway to further learning. GCSEs are one of the most popular and sought-after level 2 qualifications in the UK. Core subjects consist of Mathematics, English, and Science, and are key requirements for many jobs and entry to further levels of study.
With our GCSE Biology Higher course, you will learn about topics such as cell biology, infection and response, and bioenergetics.
You have the option of adding on both the exams and practicals you need to sit to complete your GCSE Biology qualification. We will book and pay for your exams and practicals for you, all you need to do is learn your stuff! Exam and practicals must be taken at our Birmingham exam centre, so please ensure you’re able to travel to this location.
Please note: students choosing Higher Tier Biology will achieve a grade between 4 and 9. Students who just fail to achieve grade 4 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 achieve grades 1-5, please choose our GCSE Biology – Foundation Tier.
Course Duration
Up to one year.
Course Outcome
GCSE Biology Higher Tier (you must complete the exams and practicals to achieve this qualification).
Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.
Assessment
Two paper-based exams and practical assessments.
Course content
Extra info
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 Duration
You have one full year to complete your GCSE Biology Higher Tier course which starts from your enrolment date. During this time, you have access to full tutor support through email.
Course Requirements
You do not need any previous knowledge to enrol on our GCSE Biology course.
Study Method
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.
Course Outcome
Once you have studied the course and successfully passed the examinations, you will be awarded your AQA GCSE biology.
You will achieve a grade between 4 and 9 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 1-5, please choose our GCSE Biology Foundation Tier course.
Exam details
Paper 1
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Weighting: 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; and bioenergetics)
Paper 2
- Type: Written examination
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Weighting: 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; and ecology)
Q&As
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.
You do not need any previous knowledge to enrol onto our GCSE Biology course.
Included in the cost of your GCSE Biology is the following:
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated learner services
- Assignment marking and feedback
- FREE CV critique service
- FREE employability guide to help you impress future employers
- FREE XO Student Discounts membership
- Open Study College pen, highlighter, and notebook*
* Not included with the online study option
No extra reading is required for the completion of this course.
You will need to take the official GCSE examinations in order to fully complete this course. It is your responsibility to book and pay for any exams and practicals included in this course yourself unless you enrol onto a package, in which case we will pay for an organise your exams for you.
Please note, students choosing Higher Tier Biology will achieve a grade between 4 to 9. Students who just fail to achieve grade 4 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.
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.
For students wishing to study towards grades 1-5, please choose our GCSE Biology – Foundation Tier including exams and practicals course.
If you don’t add on the exams and practicals, you will need to book and pay for these separately. You may want to purchase textbooks to supplement your course, but this is entirely optional.
You are still able to study this GCSE course, but must take the examinations within the UK, as this is the only guaranteed way to access exam centres.
It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Student Support Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.
That's not a problem. We want to make sure you're 100% confident about enrolling on the course and starting your study. So, just give our team of education specialists a call on 03300 563 100 and they'll do their best to help.
