A-Level Biology & Chemistry Fast Track 1 Year Courses – AQA

Course Duration

Both courses come with 24 months support included:

Guided Learning Hours (GLH) – 360 Hours per course
Total Qualification Time (TQT) – 700 Hours per course

Tutors & Support

All learners have access to a qualified tutor via email for the stated support period. In addition to this you are able to speak to our support team via telephone with any query you may have relating your course.

Our tutors and support team have years of experience in delivering online and distance learning courses. If you require help, then we are only a phone call away.

Assessment

The AQA A-Level Biology exam is available in May/June each year. It is assessed over 3 exam papers:

Paper 1 7402/1 – 2-hour exam
Paper 2 7402/2 – 2-hour exam
Paper 3 7402/3 – 2-hour exam

The AQA A-Level Chemistry exam is available in May/June each year. It is assessed over 3 exam papers:

Paper 1 7405/1 – 2-hour exam
Paper 2 7405/2 – 2-hour exam
Paper 3 7405/3 – 2-hour exam

Optional practical assessment – It is possible for students to receive both qualifications without completing the practical assessment. Your certificate will state you have not completed this and can harm your chances of gaining a place at university or getting a job.

Practical Assessment

Your A-Level Biology grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A-Level, you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:

1. Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
2. Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colourimeter or polotemeter
3. Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
4. Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including the use of graticule
5. Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
6. Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
7. Separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
8. Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
9. Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth
10. Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ or plant organ
11. Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
12. Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data

Your A-Level Chemistry grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A-Level, you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 6 practical skills. These are listed below:

Make up a volumetric solution and carry out a simple acid-base titration
Measurement of an enthalpy change
Investigation of how the rate of a reaction changes with temperature
Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify: cations – Group 2, NH4+ anions – Group 7 (halide ions), OH–, CO3 2–, SO4 2–
Distillation of a product from a reaction
Tests for alcohol, aldehyde, alkene and carboxylic acid

Examination Fees

As a private candidate, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange their own examinations and practical assessment if required. This is not part of the service offered by UK Open College.

This should be done prior to enrolment with us. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary arrangements in place & confirmed.

Fees for these services can vary hugely from centre to centre. It may be worth travelling out of the area. (It’s worth it)
You can view a list of official AQA approved examination centres here 

The later you leave it to arrange, the more expensive it can be. At times, it can be impossible to arrange so plan ahead. (8 months minimum recommended)

Your contract with us is for the course and support only. We will not refund you outside of the 14 days cooling-off period if you have not confirmed these arrangements with your selected centre.

Enquire & confirm with your chosen centre, do not leave it to chance!

Optional Practical Assessment*

Did you know that it is possible for students to receive their A Level qualification without completing the practical endorsement? Please check with your University if they require you to complete the practical assessments. If not, this will save you a lot of time and money. Science related subjects, for example Medicine, will require the practical assessments to be completed but many subjects do not. Practical assessment can be very costly, so it’s worth checking. 

When arranging your examinations with your chosen exam centre, please check they offer this service if required. Not all of them do and it’s important they are taken at the same place as your written exams. Practical assessments tend to be arranged in the spring a few months prior to written exams. Please plan well in advance!

You may wish to try www.tutorsandexams.uk who offer a service for both practical and written exams. They have several locations across the UK too. Please be prepared to travel. The rewards far out way the inconvenience of a train journey or trip up the motorway. 

If you decide not to take the practical assessments, be aware that your certificate will state you have not completed so could harm your chances of gaining a place at university if this is an entry requirement for your selected degree. Double check before you enrol. 

UCAS Points & Predicted Grades

All of our A Levels will provide you with UCAS points upon successful completion of your examinations. The amount you receive will depend on the grade achieved as detailed below. Tutors can also provide predicted grades for university based on your completed assessments within the course.

The majority of our A Levels will require a minimum of 3 completed assignments and correspondence to provide a predicted grade. We would advise you register for your course 3 months in advance of when you need a predicted grade for.  Eg: if you require a predicted grade for January, then you should enrol in Sept and aim to compete the 3 tutor marked assessments by December. 

Payments plans - Guaranteed acceptance*

Select whether to pay in full upon enrolment or opt to pay a deposit and spread the cost with our Interest-free payment plan. *Guaranteed acceptance for those who meet the following conditions:

Aged 18 and above (Maximum age 75)
Permanent resident in the UK
Be able to provide 3 years of address history from the UK
Have a UK bank account that accepts direct debits
Hold a valid UK credit or debit card

Please note: We do not carry out credit checks

Alternative payment plans may be available for those that do not meet these conditions. Please speak to a member of our team who will be happy to assist on 0121 792 3872.

Applicants choosing the monthly option will be required to complete and sign a financial agreement for the remaining payments.  All payments to be set up via direct debit.  We are only able to set up monthly payments for students resident in the UK. 

Please note: Once a payment plan is set up, you are liable to pay the course fees in full whether you complete the course or not.  Please ensure the monthly repayments are affordable before agreeing to any payment plan offered.

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14 Day Money Back Guarantee

Once received at your requested delivery address, you have 14 days to ensure this course meets your needs and requirements. If for any reason you are not happy, simply return your course pack unused for a refund.*

*Minus postage. An admin fee is deducted from any deposit refunded if a finance plan is arranged and then cancelled.

Our full T’s & C’s can be viewed here.