About this course

The Biology AS Level programme is a one-year course of study, which follows the WJEC specification and contains two written units:

Unit 1: Basic Biochemistry and Cell Organisation
Unit 2: Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems

What you will study

Unit 1: Basic Biochemistry and Cell Organisation

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

June external exam - 1hr 30m written paper

Unit 2: Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems

Evolution
Gas Exchange
Transport Mechanisms
Nutrition

June external exam - 1hr 30m written paper

Course fees

Administration Fee: £45.00

Awarding Organisation Fee: £60.00

Course Fee: £473.00

Entry requirements

Individual Subject requirements Grade B in GCSE Biology or BB in GCSE Double Science

Course times

17:45-20:45 Wednesday

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

1 September 2025

End date

19 June 2026

Time of day

Night Time

Part Time

3 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff

Maps & directions

£: This course is free for unemployed adults in receipt of specific benefits. If eligible, you do not pay the 'Course fee' listed under 'Course fee per year'. A registration fee of £10-40 may be charged. Any professional registration fee / exam fee / other fee listed will need to be paid for. Financial support for these costs may be available. To find our more go to www.cavc.ac.uk/PartTimeFunding

Course code

ASCC3E17

L3

Qualification

Biology - AS

CAVC is a great place to study A Levels – the teachers, the support, the facilities and social experience has been so good – I’m delighted to have gained all A’s in my AS exams. The support to apply and prepare for university is brilliant and I’m looking forward to progressing after college.

Kuba Lewandowski

Studying A Levels

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

City Centre Campus, Cardiff

City Centre Campus,

Dumballs Road,

Cardiff,

CF10 5FE

Directions