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International Home Study

IGCSE Biology Course

This IGCSE Biology Distance Learning Course is ideal for anyone wishing to gain a knowledge and understanding of human biology, organisms, evolution and the environment.

The course will provide you with an in-depth study of the full Edexcel or CAIE Biology specification helping you achieve the IGCSE Biology qualification. You will find this course extremely valuable if you are looking to progress onto A Level Biology, seeking a progression route for further training whilst employed or would just like to study this subject as a hobby.

igcse-biology-course

Enrolment Fee:

£395.00

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Description

This IGCSE Biology course will help students develop an understanding of biological facts, concepts and principles. Learners will gain new skills required for their use in different situations.

Support

The course will be delivered online including Tutor Support for two years. All assignments are marked by one of our professional Tutors who will offer regular feedback and guide you through your course. Postal assignments cannot be accepted without prior permission from the tutor and you must have access to email in order to contact your Tutor.

Throughout your course, you'll have the support of a Tutor to guide you. Additionally, you can reach out to the Student Support Team for help with any other questions you may have. You can be assured that you will receive unlimited support for your home study course, so there is no need to struggle or feel isolated during your studies.

Assessment

The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. You will also have access to a range of online resources.

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an approved centre when an examination forms part of the course. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

Differences between Cambridge and Edexcel Exam boards.

Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSEs are international qualifications. Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSEs can be taken worldwide including the United Kingdom. Both exam boards offer a similar specification however different courses can have a different structure. Both the Cambridge and Edexcel courses are full International GCSE qualifications.

Fees

Course fees for payment in full include:

  • Assessment and feedback on all assignments.
  • Access to your personal Tutor via our online portal.
  • Access to a range of online resources, student materials, assessments, assignments, eBooks etc
  • Practice exam papers to prepare you for the real thing.
  • Tutor references and predicted grades once a satisfactory amount of work has been completed.
  • Help finding an exam centre for you to sit your exam

Cambridge (2022)

Cambridge Course Code(s)

IGCSE Biology (9-1): 0970

IGCSE Biology: 0610

(Please note, there is no difference in the course teachings for the two specifications, there only difference is the grade you will receive once you have taken the exams. 0970 is graded 9-1, 9 being the highest while 0610 is graded A* to G, A* being the highest.)

Cambridge Exams: June & November

Cambridge Study Hours: 130 hours


This IGCSE Biology CAIE Course will help students to understand the technological world in which we live and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of biology through a mix of theoretical and practical studies. As you progress through the course, you will understand how science is studied and practised, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment.

Specification for 2022 – Modules

Characteristics and classification of living organisms

  • Characteristics of living organisms
  • Concept and use of a classification system
  • Features of organisms
  • Dichotomous keys

Organisation of the organism

  • Cell structure and organisation
  • Levels of organisation
  • Size of specimens

Movement in and out of cells

  • Diffusion
  • Osmosis
  • Active transport

Biological molecules

  • Biological molecules

Enzymes

  • Enzymes

Plant nutrition

  • Photosynthesis
  • Leaf structure
  • Mineral requirements

Human nutrition

  • Diet
  • Alimentary canal
  • Mechanical digestion
  • Chemical digestion
  • Absorption

Transport in plants

  • Transport in plants
  • Water uptake
  • Transpiration
  • Translocation

Transport in animals

  • Transport in animals
  • Heart
  • Blood and lymphatic vessels
  • Blood

Diseases and immunity

  • Diseases and immunity

Gas exchange in humans

  • Gas exchange in humans

Respiration

  • Respiration
  • Aerobic respiration
  • Anaerobic respiration

Excretion in humans

  • Excretion in Humans

Coordination and response

  • Nervous control in humans
  • Sense organs
  • Hormones in humans
  • Homeostasis
  • Tropic responses

Drugs

  • Drugs
  • Medicinal drugs
  • Misused drugs

Reproduction

  • Asexual reproduction
  • Sexual reproduction
  • Sexual reproduction in plants
  • Sexual reproduction in humans
  • Sex hormones in humas
  • Methods of birth control in humans
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Inheritance

  • Inheritance
  • Chromosomes, genes and proteins
  • Mitosis
  • Meiosis
  • Monohybrid inheritance

Variation and selection

  • Variation
  • Adaptive features
  • Selection

Organisms and their environment

  • Energy flow
  • Food chains and food webs
  • Nutrient cycles
  • Population size

Biotechnology and genetic engineering

  • Biotechnology and genetic engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Genetic engineer

Human influences on ecosystems

  • Food supply
  • Habitat destruction
  • Pollution
  • Conservation

Exam Papers:

All students will take three papers. Learners who have studied the Core subject content, should be entered for Paper 1, Paper 3 and Paper 6. These learners will be eligible for grades 1 to 5.

Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core)

Written examination: 45 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Multiple- choice questions based on the Core subject content.

40 marks

30% of grade

Paper 3:  Theory (Core)

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview:  short- answer and structured questions based on the Core subject content.

80 marks

50% of grade

Paper 6: Alternative to practical

Written examination: 1 hour

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Questions will be based on Experimental Skills

40 marks

20% of grade

Learners who have studied the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement), and who are expected to achieve a grade 4 or above, should be entered for Paper 2, Paper 4 and Paper 6. These learners will be eligible for grades 1 to 9.

Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended)

Written examination: 45 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Multiple- choice questions based on the extended subject content (Core and Supplement)

40 marks

30% of grade

Paper 4:  Theory (Extended)

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview:  short- answer and structured questions based on the extended subject content (Core and Supplement)

80 marks

50% of grade

Paper 6: Alternative to practical

Written examination: 1 hour

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Questions will be based on Experimental Skills

40 marks

20% of grade

Cambridge (2023-)

Cambridge Course Code(s)

IGCSE Biology (9-1): 0970

IGCSE Biology: 0610

(Please note, there is no difference in the course teachings for the two specifications, there only difference is the grade you will receive once you have taken the exams. 0970 is graded 9-1, 9 being the highest while 0610 is graded A* to G, A* being the highest.)

Cambridge Exams: June & November

Cambridge Study Hours: 130 hours


 

This IGCSE Biology CAIE Course will help students to understand the technological world in which we live and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of biology through a mix of theoretical and practical studies. As you progress through the course, you will understand how science is studied and practised, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment.

Specification for 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Characteristics and classification of living organisms

  • Characteristics of living organisms
  • Concept and uses of classification systems
  • Features of organisms

Organisation of the organism

  • Cell structure
  • Size of specimens

Movement into and out of cells

  • Diffusion
  • Osmosis
  • Active transport

Biological molecules

  • Biological molecules

Enzymes

  • Enzymes

Plant nutrition

  • Photosynthesis
  • Leaf structure

Human nutrition

  • Diet
  • Digestive system
  • Physical digestion
  • Chemical digestion
  • Absorption

Transport in plants

  • Xylem and phloem
  • Water uptake
  • Transpiration
  • Translocation

Transport in animals

  • Circulatory systems
  • Heart
  • Blood vessels
  • Blood

Diseases and immunity

  • Diseases and immunity

Gas exchange in humans

  • Gas exchange in humans

Respiration

  • Respiration
  • Aerobic respiration
  • Anaerobic respiration

Excretion in humans

  • Excretion in humans

Coordination and response

  • Coordination and response
  • Sense organs
  • Hormones
  • Homeostasis
  • Tropic responses

Drugs

  • Drugs

Reproduction

  • Asexual reproduction
  • Sexual reproduction
  • Sexual reproduction in plants
  • Sexual reproduction in humans
  • Sexual hormones in humans
  • Sexual transmitted infections

Inheritance

  • Chromosomes, genes and proteins
  • Mitosis
  • Meiosis
  • Monohybrid inheritance

Variation and selection

  • Variation
  • Adaptive features
  • Selection

Organisms and their environment

  • Energy flow
  • Food chains and food webs
  • Nutrient cycles
  • Populations

Human influences on ecosystems

  • Food supply
  • Habitat destruction
  • Pollution
  • Conservation

Biotechnology and genetic modification

  • Biotechnology and genetic modification
  • Biotechnology
  • Genetic modification

Exam Papers:

All students will take three papers. Learners who have studied the Core subject content, should be entered for Paper 1, Paper 3 and Paper 6. These learners will be eligible for grades 1 to 5.

Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core)

Written examination: 45 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Multiple- choice questions based on the Core subject content.

40 marks

30% of grade

Paper 3:  Theory (Core)

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview:  short- answer and structured questions based on the Core subject content.

80 marks

50% of grade

Paper 6: Alternative to practical

Written examination: 1 hour

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Questions will be based on Experimental Skills

40 marks

20% of grade

 

Learners who have studied the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement), and who are expected to achieve a grade 4 or above, should be entered for Paper 2, Paper 4 and Paper 6. These learners will be eligible for grades 1 to 9.

 

Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended)

Written examination: 45 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Multiple- choice questions based on the extended subject content (Core and Supplement)

40 marks

30% of grade

Paper 4:  Theory (Extended)

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview:  short- answer and structured questions based on the extended subject content (Core and Supplement)

80 marks

50% of grade

Paper 6: Alternative to practical

Written examination: 1 hour

Availability: June and October

Assessment overview: Questions will be based on Experimental Skills

40 marks

20% of grade

Edexcel Exam Board

Edexcel Course Code(s): 4BI1

Edexcel Exams: January and June

Edexcel Study Hours: 130 hours


This IGCSE Biology Edexcel Course will help you get a good understanding of the world of living things, from how basic a cell works to the complexities of an ecosystem. Students enjoy this course as they learn about things relevant to their lives such as diet and exercise, homeostasis and the environment. They can also understand more about the real facts behind issues like global warming. This specification is graded from 9 to 1.

Edexcel Modules

The nature and variety of living organisms

(a) Characteristics of living organisms

(b) Variety of living organisms

Structure and functions in living things

(a) Level of organisation

(b) Cell structure

(c) Biological molecules

(d) Movement of substances into and out of cells

(e) Nutrition

(f) Respiration

(g) Gas exchange

(h) Transport

(i) Excretion

(j) Co-ordination and response

Reproduction and inheritance

(a) Reproduction

(b) Inheritance

Ecology and the environment

(a) The organism in the environment

(b) Feeding relationships

(c) Cycles within ecosystems

(d) Human influences on the environment

Use of biological resources

(a) Food production

(b) Selective breeding

(c) Genetic modification (genetic engineering)

(d) Cloning

Exam Papers

Paper 1

Written examination: 2 hours

Availability: January and June

Assessment overview: Assesses core content that is not in bold and does not have a ‘B’ reference. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification.

110 marks

61.1% of the total international GCSE

Paper 2

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

Availability: January and June

Assessment overview: Assesses all the content, including content that is in bold and has a ‘B’ reference. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification. Bold statements cover some sub-topics in greater depth.

70 marks

38.9% of the total International GCSE

Q&A

You do not need any prior learning knowledge or experience to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone who wishes to take part in a highly rewarding home study course, although you would be expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 2 years from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor. You do not have to wait until September, when a traditional school starts. 

Once you enrol, you will be asked to fill in an enrolment form. On the form it will ask when you wish to complete by, so we can ensure you are supported right up to when you take your exams.

Once you enrol, you will have access to our online portal 24/7. Here you will find study materials that have been specially prepared by your tutor, there will be assessments, study notes, eBooks and assignments all relating to your course. Everything in this course is structured to follow the course specification, so all topics and units cover everything you need to learn. Your tutor will mark your work and give you written feedback on areas you need to improve or explain what you have done well. You can also ask your tutor questions if you get stuck on a topic or need something explaining a little more. 

When you approach the exams, your tutor will set you a series of practise exam papers so that you can know what to expect in your exam, and you can go into them feeling confident.

You will be provided with eBooks for this course. If you want to purchase physical books in addition, then we can provide you with the book ISBN numbers.

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations (including any practicals they wish to take) at an approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

All of our IGCSEs are available world wide. Meaning you can study with us from anywhere.

Cambridge, and Edexcel both have international exam centres, so you may be able to take the exams locally to you. Should you need any help finding a centre, then please do get in touch and we can assist you on this. 

We recommend that you are able to dedicate between 120 and 130 hours’ study time, plus additional time for completing assignments.

Yes, you can work at your own pace to complete this course. Despite having 24 months Tutor Support, once you enrol you will be asked when you wish to complete, and your tutor can work along side you to achieve this.

With online learning, having the flexibility is a real advantage. This allows you to set the pace. Take your time or Fast-track, get the qualification when you need it.

Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSEs are international qualifications. Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSEs can be taken worldwide including the United Kingdom. Both exam boards offer a similar specification however different courses can have a different structure. Both the Cambridge and Edexcel courses are full International GCSE qualifications.

It is recommended that you aim to book your examinations 4/6 month prior to sitting them to avoid late entry fee charges.  Additionally, we would advise that you contact a few exam centres and find out the best price, as they can fluctuate greatly. 

You will sit the same exam as thousands of students across the country in an exam centre, and achieve the same qualification as everyone else. IGCSE qualifications are recognised by universities employers, colleges and sixth form colleges, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.

Just like sitting your IGCSEs in a school, your tutor will be able to provide you with predicted grades, transcripts, certificate of graduation, and references for further education applications. 

Of course, all of our courses are tailored to cover the entire specification and are split into topics. You will have assignments to complete on every topic where your tutor will give you feedback. If you are struggling with an aspect then you can message your tutor and they can provide more information for you.

As your exams approach, your tutor will set a series of exam papers for you to take, so you can get a feel for the real thing.

If you complete all of your assignments, and your practise exam papers then there is no reason why you shouldn’t achieve a top grade.