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Biology

Biology involves the study of a wide range of exciting topics, ranging from molecular biology to the study of ecosystems and from micro-organisms to mammoths. Biology is never far from the headlines either. The human genome has been sequenced and we know the complete arrangement of the three billion bases that make up human DNA which is driving exciting new avenues of research and medical advancement.

Qualifications & Assessments

Exam Board AQA
Level Level 3
Qualification A Level
Entry Requirements Entry Requirements
Photograph of some plants an A level Biology study books.

You will study 8 topics over two years: cells, how organisms exchange substances with their environments, genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms, energy transfers in and between organisms, how organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments, genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems and the control of gene expression and Biological Molecules.

All exams are taken at the end of the 2 year course.

  • Paper 1 is a written exam that assesses topics 1-4 (35%)
  • Paper 2 is a written exam that assesses topics 5-8 (35%)
  • Paper 3 is a written exam which assesses all topics and includes one essay from a choice of two titles (30%)

A Level Biology is a Russell group facilitating subject, it is one of the subjects most commonly required or preferred by universities.

An A level Biology qualification will enable you to study many subjects at university including:-

  • Agriculture
  • Biomedical Science
  • Conservation
  • Dentistry
  • Food Science
  • Genetics
  • Marine Biology
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Prosthetics
  • Radiography
  • Teaching
  • Veterinary Science

Throughout the course we offer many interesting and engaging trips

  • Biology Olympiad (Stretch and Challenge)
  • Ecology field trip to Ainsdale
  • Gene technology workshop
  • Lectures/workshops in college and the local area
  • Manchester Lit. and Phil. Society evening lectures
  • North West Science Network summer school
  • Nuffield Bursary placements
  • Sutton Trust summer schools

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News & Blog

Latest From Aquinas

For the first time we celebrated our annual sports presentation in the canteen at college. This was a great afternoon celebrating the sporting successes of our teams, individual athletes, Upper Sixth classes and pathways department. We had a brilliant turnout and a great afternoon.

Photograph of students receiving their awards

It was a privilege to welcome guest speaker and first-generation Holocaust survivor Tomi Komoly from the Northern Holocaust Education Group to College this week to talk about his experiences as a young child growing up in 1940s Budapest. Tomi spoke about the rise in fascism in Hungary, which culminated in an alliance with the Nazis.

Guest speaker Tomi Komoly talks about his experience of the Holocaust.

Completed by first-year A-Level Photography students at Aquinas College, this exhibition invites you to explore the rich and evolving heritage of Stockport. Created in collaboration with Stockroom, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and Stockport Heritage Trust, the project reflects on the town’s past, present, and future through a photographic lens.

Photograph collage of old and new in Stockport town centre.

A level Drama students visited the Bolton Octagon in April to watch a solid production of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”. The play was directed by Sarah Brigham and the story centres on a pair of friends who find work at a ranch in the Great Depression-era US south. This production was potentially very […]

Photograph of the Of Mice and Men production at the Octagon Theatre. Credit: Pamala Raith