Biology - AS

L3 Level 3
Full Time
3 September 2025 — 23 June 2026
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

About this course

The Biology AS Level programme is a one-year course of study and should be taken in conjunction with two or three other subjects and the Welsh Baccalaureate.  Based at our City Centre campus in Cardiff, learners may be able to take this qualification as a part-time student.

What you will study

This course follows the WJEC specification and contains two written units: 

 
Unit 1: Basic Biochemistry and Cell Organisation

  • Biological compounds
  • Cell structure
  • Cell membranes and transport
  • Enzymes
  • DNA and inheritance

June external exam - 1.5 hour written paper 

Unit 2: Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems

  • Evolution
  • Gas exchange
  • Transport mechanisms
  • Nutrition

June external exam - 1.5 hour written paper

Course fee per year

Part-time enrolment fee: £0.00

Entry requirements

Individual Subject Entry Requirement Maths minimum B English Language minimum B B in Biology Higher or BB in Double Award Science

Teaching and assessment

Two written exams

Important points

  • The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
  • Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
  • Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
  • Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
  • Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
  • All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
  • Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
  • Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.
Key information

Start date

3 September 2025

End date

23 June 2026

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

4.5 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
Maps & directions

Course code

ASCC3F42
L3

Qualification

Biology - AS
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Career prospects & further study

500

Fantastic university progression routes! With hundreds of students gaining places at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other leading universities. In fact, this year more than 500 students achieved their firm or insurance choice through UCAS, with nearly 100 being Russell Group universities!

On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Structure and Function
  • Environmental Issues
  • Evolution and Biodiversity
  • Habitat Ecology
  • Human Physiology
  • Marine and Terrestrial
  • Ecology
  • Medicine
  • Molecular Methodology for
  • Biologists
  • Plant Science
  • Principles of Genetics

Locations

City Centre Campus, Cardiff
City Centre Campus, Cardiff

City Centre Campus,

Dumballs Road,

Cardiff,

CF10 5FE