A Level Biology at LMSC follows the AQA 7402 specification and is taught live by specialist biologists in small groups, on campus in London, fully online, or hybrid. You complete AQA's required practical programme in our own laboratories, so your certificate carries the practical endorsement that medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses require.
A Level Biology examines living systems at every scale, from the molecules inside a cell to the dynamics of whole ecosystems. It is a broad subject, and the breadth is the challenge: AQA's specification runs to eight substantial topics, and Paper 3 can draw on any of them.
It is less mathematical than chemistry or physics, but not free of mathematics. At least 10% of the marks assess mathematics at Level 2 or above, mostly in statistics, data handling and the analysis of experimental results.
Taught by biologists. Lessons are led by specialist biology teachers in small groups, in real time, structured around the AQA specification. Every session is recorded, so complex processes can be revisited as often as needed.
Our own laboratories. You complete AQA's required practical programme on site, assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria. Microscopy, dissection, enzyme kinetics and microbiological technique cannot be done from a kitchen table, and universities check that you have done them.
Three ways to study, one qualification. On campus in London, fully online, or hybrid. Online and hybrid students attend scheduled laboratory blocks in London for the practical programme.
We teach you and we examine you. LMSC is a specialist STEM college and a private exam centre, so teaching, practical assessment and exam entry sit under one roof.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need A Level Biology for medicine?
Not always, which surprises people. UCL and Imperial require both Biology and Chemistry. Oxford and Cambridge require Chemistry, with Biology as one of several acceptable second subjects. Manchester accepts either Biology or Chemistry. Chemistry is the more reliably required subject; Biology is the more commonly expected one. Check each medical school individually.
What GCSE grades do you need for A Level Biology?
UK sixth forms typically ask for grade 6 in GCSE Biology or 6-6 in higher-tier Combined Science, plus grade 5 or 6 in GCSE Maths. LMSC asks for grade 6 in Biology and grade 5 in Maths, and recommends grade 7 for medicine applicants.
Is A Level Biology harder than Chemistry?
Different rather than harder. Biology carries a much lighter mathematical load, 10% against Chemistry's 20%, but a far broader content base and considerably more extended writing, including a 25-mark essay. Students who write well often prefer Biology; students who calculate well often prefer Chemistry.
Can you study A Level Biology online?
Yes for the taught content, but not for the practical endorsement, which requires a laboratory. Microscopy, dissection and microbiological technique cannot be done at home. LMSC teaches online and delivers the required practicals in our own laboratories in London.
What is the practical endorsement and what happens without it?
It is a separately reported Pass or Not Classified outcome covering your laboratory work. It does not affect your A* to E grade but it is printed on your certificate, and UCL, Imperial, Manchester, King's College London and the Royal Veterinary College all make a pass a condition of their offer.
Does A Level Biology have coursework?
No. There is no coursework and no written NEA. The practical endorsement is assessed by your centre across the course and reported separately.
Do you need A Level Maths for Biology?
No. Around 10% of the marks assess mathematics at Level 2 or above, which is GCSE standard, and it is mostly statistical. Being comfortable with graphs, percentages and standard deviation matters more than holding A Level Maths.
Can you resit A Level Biology?
Yes, as a whole qualification in the summer series. If you already hold a practical endorsement pass from a previous series it can usually be carried forward rather than repeated. Confirm this with us before entering.
AQA organises A Level Biology into eight topics. All are compulsory. There are no optional units.
Papers 1 and 2 content
Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4. Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 8. Paper 3 can draw on all eight.
Required practicals
AQA specifies twelve required practical activities, covering microscopy, dissection, enzyme activity, membrane permeability, chromatography, respiration and photosynthesis, sampling and population techniques, and the effect of environmental variables on organisms. Twelve assessed activities is also the minimum for the practical endorsement. At LMSC you complete the full programme in our laboratories.
This course suits you if you:
Is Biology enough on its own for medicine?
No. Almost every medical school requires Chemistry, and several require both Chemistry and Biology. UCL and Imperial require both. Oxford and Cambridge require Chemistry with Biology optional. Manchester accepts either. If medicine is your goal, take Chemistry alongside Biology.
This course may not suit you if you:
Awarding body and qualification
AQA A-level Biology, specification code 7402. Graded A* to E.
Three written papers, no coursework
Mathematics in the papers
A minimum of 10% of the marks across the three papers assess mathematics at Level 2 or above. This is a Department for Education requirement and applies to every A Level Biology specification.
The practical endorsement - read this if you are studying online or as a private candidate
A Level Biology carries a practical endorsement, reported separately from your grade as either Pass or Not Classified. It does not contribute to your A* to E grade, but it is printed on your certificate.
AQA specifies twelve required practical activities, and a minimum of twelve assessed activities is required for the endorsement. Each is judged against the five Common Practical Assessment Criteria: following written procedures; applying investigative approaches; using equipment safely; making and recording observations; and researching, referencing and reporting.
Universities enforce this. UCL states that a pass in the practical endorsement is required for anyone studying Biology, Chemistry or Physics A levels in England. Imperial requires a pass in all science subjects forming part of an offer. Manchester, King's College London, the Royal Veterinary College and Nottingham apply the same condition.
The endorsement can only be delivered and assessed by a centre with laboratories and qualified science staff. LMSC has both. Online and hybrid students complete the full required practical programme in our own laboratories in London, in scheduled blocks.
Also assessed in the written papers
At least 15% of the marks in the written papers assess knowledge and understanding of practical work. AQA states this directly for Biology.
Calculators
Permitted in all papers.
Exam series
Normally the May/June series. LMSC students sit their examinations in London.
GCSE or IGCSE Biology
Grade 6 or above in Biology, or grades 6-6 in higher-tier Combined Science. Grade 7 is recommended if you intend to apply for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.
GCSE or IGCSE Mathematics
Grade 5 or above. Biology carries a 10% minimum mathematical content, mostly statistical, so you need to be comfortable with percentages, ratios, graphs and basic data analysis.
GCSE English
Grade 5 or above is recommended. Biology requires more extended writing than the other sciences, including a 25-mark essay on AQA Paper 3.
Combined Science entries
Higher tier only. GCSE Applied Science and Level 2 BTEC Science are not accepted as preparation for A Level Biology.
International qualifications
Strong performance in Grade 10 Biology and Mathematics, or local equivalent.
Diagnostic assessment
A short diagnostic may be used to confirm readiness, particularly for students joining from a non-UK curriculum.
If you are close to these requirements but not quite at them, speak to us. We would rather assess your readiness properly than turn you away on a single grade.
On completion you are awarded the AQA A-level Biology qualification (7402), graded A* to E, on the basis of three externally assessed written papers, plus the practical endorsement reported separately as Pass.
By the end of the course you will have:
You also leave with a portfolio of assessed work, including timed papers, practical records and marked scripts, which supports predicted grades, academic references and your UCAS application.
Where A Level Biology is required or expected
Verified 2027-entry requirements include:
Where Chemistry outranks Biology
This surprises people. For Biochemistry, Oxford and Imperial both require Chemistry and treat Biology as one of several optional second sciences. Cambridge and Oxford Medicine require Chemistry, with Biology optional. Biology alone is rarely sufficient for the health sciences.
Where Biology stands on its own
Biomedical science, biological sciences, zoology, ecology and conservation, environmental science, physiotherapy, nursing, midwifery, sport and exercise science, and psychology at departments that require a science subject.
Subject combinations that work
Careers
Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, biomedical and clinical science, pharmacology, genetics and genomics, ecology and conservation, agricultural and food science, public health, and biotechnology.
Progression support at LMSC
UCAS guidance and subject-combination advice, predicted grades supported by assessed evidence, academic references, help with admissions tests and interviews, and results-day support including Clearing.
University entry requirements change each cycle. Always check the current requirement on the university's own website before making decisions.
Explore other programmes that pair well with A Level Biology or extend your specialist focus.
Book a consultation for tailored guidance on admissions, timetable planning and portfolio preparation. We will map a personalised progression route for your ambitions.
Course highlights
What the course covers, how it is taught and what is included. These pages answer the other questions people ask about the same subject.
