GCSE Biology

Key Details

Available at:
Rhos-on-Sea
Study Mode:
Part-time
Course Length:
30 weeks, 3 hours per week

GCSE Biology

Adult Learners (19+)

Courses for 24/25 are now full. For courses starting in September 2025, applications will be open from July 2025.

Please refer to our FAQs at the bottom of this page which may answer some questions for you.

Have you got a question? Get in touch!

Course Description

GCSE Biology offers you the opportunity to study the science of life from single-celled organisms to global ecosystems.

Who is the course aimed at?

Anyone interested in gaining a GCSE or wanting to improve on a previously achieved grade.

Key Topics covered:

The course consists of the following units:

Unit 1: Cells, Organ Systems and Ecosystems

Topic areas include: enzymes, circulatory system, respiratory system, photosynthesis, food chains and food webs.

Written examination: A mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context.

Unit 2: Variation, Homeostasis and Micro-Organisms

Topic areas include: renal system, nervous system, microbiology and the immune system.

Written examination: A mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context.

Unit 3: PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

A practical assessment that will be carried out in college.

Cost

£80 tuition fee. £40 exam fee. Concessions are available, please upload proof of concession availability when you enrol online.

Entry Criteria

There are no entry requirements for this course, although a good understanding of basic science concepts is strongly recommended.

If you have not taken the exam previously, or if it was taken a considerable time ago, your tutor will have a chat with you to determine whether this course is right for you.

Delivery

Face to face teaching
Discussions
Group work
Regular homework will be set

Learners will be expected to access emails, Google Classroom and potentially other online tools that will support their learning. Support in accessing these will be provided.

Assessment

Two written exams and a Practical assessment

Progression

You could choose one of the many different courses available at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.

Other details

Course type: Adult Learners (19+)

Level: 2

Programme Area:

GCSEs

Part-time GCSEs: Frequently Asked Questions

English Language - Abergele, Bangor, Llangefni, Rhos-on-Sea, Online
Welsh (2nd Language) - Online only
Mathematics - Abergele, Llangefni, Rhos-on-Sea
Mathematics (Numeracy) - Abergele, Bangor, Online
Biology - Rhos-on-Sea

The time and location of the part-time GCSE courses will be available on the website (May/June each year).

The total cost is £120. Tuition fee is £80, the exam fee is £40.

You may be eligible for a concession.

Please visit the Fees and Concessions page for more information

All part-time GCSE courses are applied for through the website.

You will be contacted by someone from the college to make a secure payment over the phone.

If you are home-schooled and not in statutory education, you can attend GCSE classes at college. You will need to have an appropriate chaperone with you at each lesson. Fees are charged at the usual college rates.

Before you enrol, we suggest your parents contact Learner Services for more information.

Yes. If you have a grade D, we will enrol you onto the appropriate GCSE resit. If your grade is below a grade D, we will enrol you onto an appropriate Essential Skills program to help you develop the necessary skills to be able to access the GCSE in the future.

If you have a grade C or above but would like to improve on this you will have the opportunity to do so.

We will ask you to complete a short assessment before you are enrolled. This will help us to signpost you to the course that's right for you.

The intermediate paper will allow you to achieve a grade E to B.

If your tutor feels you have the potential to achieve higher than a grade B, they will discuss the opportunity of entering you for the higher tier paper.

GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy will assess the mathematics that you will need and use in everyday life and the world of work.

GCSE Mathematics will extend to aspects of mathematics needed for progression to scientific, technical or further mathematical study.

If you have a particular progression route in mind, you should check what their specific requirements may be.

A good understanding of basic Welsh is required. We will ask you to complete a short assessment before you are enrolled. This will help us to signpost you to the course that's right for you.

You will need access to a PC, laptop or chromebook and you will need a reliable internet connection. Your device needs to have a webcam, microphone and speaker to allow you to engage fully in the lesson.

You will still need to attend a campus to sit key assessments and final exams, therefore you must live within travelling distance of a GLLM campus.

No. This course requires practical elements to be completed and these are only available on campus.

Please contact Advice and Guidance to discuss your query further.

You will be contacted directly by your tutor who will advise you of all the information you need prior to starting the course. It is very important that we have your email address as this is how the tutor will send you the information that you need.

No, we do not accept external candidates for GCSEs. To be able to sit any GCSE exams at the college, you must enrol on the course.

At the start of your course, your tutor will ask you to tell them which campus you would like to sit the exam at. You will be able to choose the campus local to where you live. You can choose from: Bangor, Dolgellau, Glynllifon, Llangefni, Pwllheli, Rhos on Sea, Rhyl

Once a course is full, or the start date has passed, the course will be removed from the website.