[WhamBamJam.]

Many thanks to anyone who replies, it's much appreciated.

I left sixth form around 2 years ago with 3 AS levels in Bio, History and English. Due to my personal and difficult circumstances at the time I was unable to complete my second year. Being out of college has given me huge amounts of time to think about what I want to do; I'd like to study Animal Science at UWE.

Although now I live in a flat, work full-time, have bills to pay etc etc. I also live about 25 miles away from where I went to sixth form.. and the colleges around my area don't offer the same A-levels as what I took (different exam boards, different specifications etc) so it appears I can't follow on from the ones I took.

To me it seems that I have a couple of options. One, I could take out a student loan to help cover costs (seeing as I'm now over 19) and start my A-levels again, although that would be a bit of a struggle.

Or, at UWE they offer a foundation year for the Animal Science degree. All I need is a full A-level in Biology. So I'm thinking my easiest option would be to complete the A2 at home? There's a centre nearby which accepts private candidates.. and I understand the practicals in Biology would be hard without being in a classroom environment.... but I believe it's possible. And to me it seems the only viable option really.

However, I don't really know how to go about this. I'm not at all worried about the content of the specification as I stand by the fact that there's nothing teachers can tell you that isn't already written in books.. But I am worried about the practical aspect of Biology.

If there's anyone who knows how to go about this... I'd be really really grateful for the information. What steps do I need to take? How do I cope with the practicals?

Or, are there any other options for me which I've completely missed?

[arnab]

(Original post by WhamBamJam.)
Many thanks to anyone who replies, it's much appreciated.

I left sixth form around 2 years ago with 3 AS levels in Bio, History and English. Due to my personal and difficult circumstances at the time I was unable to complete my second year. Being out of college has given me huge amounts of time to think about what I want to do; I'd like to study Animal Science at UWE.

Although now I live in a flat, work full-time, have bills to pay etc etc. I also live about 25 miles away from where I went to sixth form.. and the colleges around my area don't offer the same A-levels as what I took (different exam boards, different specifications etc) so it appears I can't follow on from the ones I took.

To me it seems that I have a couple of options. One, I could take out a student loan to help cover costs (seeing as I'm now over 19) and start my A-levels again, although that would be a bit of a struggle.

Or, at UWE they offer a foundation year for the Animal Science degree. All I need is a full A-level in Biology. So I'm thinking my easiest option would be to complete the A2 at home? There's a centre nearby which accepts private candidates.. and I understand the practicals in Biology would be hard without being in a classroom environment.... but I believe it's possible. And to me it seems the only viable option really.

However, I don't really know how to go about this. I'm not at all worried about the content of the specification as I stand by the fact that there's nothing teachers can tell you that isn't already written in books.. But I am worried about the practical aspect of Biology.

If there's anyone who knows how to go about this... I'd be really really grateful for the information. What steps do I need to take? How do I cope with the practicals?

Or, are there any other options for me which I've completely missed?

If the specfication has changed, then you cant really carry on with your AS grade. Also how can you guarantee that you will be accepted into this UWE?

[WhamBamJam.]

(Original post by arnab)
If the specfication has changed, then you cant really carry on with your AS grade. Also how can you guarantee that you will be accepted into this UWE?

The specification has not changed and of course I cannot guarantee it, but that's my aim. People normally have back up plans, but for me there is no back up plan due to my situation.

[Misslassenza]

I'm going to do the biology practical on 16th of May. Its actually a written paper and is about 20% of the total mark. All we did is study the theories and did just 1 practical experiment in the lab about respirometer and respiration .it shouldn't be a big issue if you're willing to make an effort.

[WhamBamJam.]

(Original post by Misslassenza)
I'm going to do the biology practical on 16th of May. Its actually a written paper and is about 20% of the total mark. All we did is study the theories and did just 1 practical experiment in the lab about respirometer and respiration .it shouldn't be a big issue if you're willing to make an effort.

This is encouraging, thankyou.

[arnab]

(Original post by WhamBamJam.)
The specification has not changed and of course I cannot guarantee it, but that's my aim. People normally have back up plans, but for me there is no back up plan due to my situation.

IF you are willing to work your arse, i believe it is possible. Also try and find a private that will let you do the unit3 and unit6 report and not the coursework. This is because it is much easier to get a better with the report and coursework. good luck anyway.....quote me any time if u need any help

[WhamBamJam.]

(Original post by arnab)
IF you are willing to work your arse, i believe it is possible. Also try and find a private that will let you do the unit3 and unit6 report and not the coursework. This is because it is much easier to get a better with the report and coursework. good luck anyway.....quote me any time if u need any help

Thankyou. I'm so determined to do this. Can you explain the report thing please? I didn't know there was an alternative to coursework?

[Ggdf]

Hi there

I'm studying for my biology A level at home by self-teaching - It's definitely doable! I've so far only done units 1 and 3 of AS, but have managed to achieve A grades in both! It goes to show you don't always need a teacher. All you need is the textbooks for the exam board/specification you're doing plus any other relevant resources you can get you hands on (look around online for DVDs, useful websites etc). If you have an iphone/ipad/ipod touch you can get a great biology app called 'Thinkwell biology'. This is an app that offers lectures by a biology professor on the variety of topics you'll need for the A level specification (the professor is American, and the lessons are not aimed at a British A level student per say, but don't be discouraged because the topics are exactly the same as those covered at AS/A level). This is such a brilliant app, the teacher is excellent and amusing to watch too. I can't recommended it highly enough for anyone who is self-teaching from home. I think there are also ways to find his lectures through youtube and the 'Thinkwell' website if you don't have an Apple device. Getting it through itunes is the best option though. It's possible other phone types offer this app. There is also another good apple app for biology by 'Examstutor' which offers a lot of practice tests on the A level topics. If you go on the website for examstutor (you can find it on Google) you can also access past papers to practice for you exams. One thing I would stress to you is to buy more than one textbook for AS/A level as I've found that they all compliment each other. No one textbook goes into the level of detail on every topic as is required for you to know in the exams. While one textbook covers a particular topic in the needed detail, it might lack detail on another topic. Another textbook, on the other hand, might really elaborate on the topic the other book lacks, but not go into so much detail with the topics. They really all bring something different to the table - that's what I've found anyway. Try looking on Amazon for different textbooks (Mine are for AQA and are by Nelson Thornes, Hodder and Collins).
I would suggest that you also get in touch with the exam board you want to use and explain your situation as they will be able to advise you on whether you are able to continue with the A2 portion of you bio A level without starting afresh from the beginning of AS. This may be very possible if the specification has not changed. They will also be able to give you other advice about the syllabus and the best resources to use.
I don't know what exam board you want to use, but mine is AQA and for biology you don't have to do any coursework. There are two written exams per AS/A2 which account for 80% of the marks (I do these at a centre as an external candidate) and there is also one practical unit for AS and one for A2. These contribute 20% of the overall marks of AS and A2 respectively. To get through the practicals, you really just need to be well versed in the topics your studying for the written papers. You also need you be practiced at maths and understanding/handling data, and have a bit of knowledge about how to use basic lab equipment (if you've forgotten, Google instructions on using different apparatus, or look on youtube). You will need to find out if your exam centre offers the practical exams. I've been really lucky that mine does!

I hope this helps! Best of luck

[arnab]

(Original post by WhamBamJam.)
Thankyou. I'm so determined to do this. Can you explain the report thing please? I didn't know there was an alternative to coursework?

sorry but what i meant was that you can either do the written exam for unit 3 or 6 or do 2pieces of coursework, aka report, for your unit 3 and 6.

Unit 6 >>> you have a design an experiment and then do the experiment and then write up a report on it

Unit 3 >>> similar to unit 6 but this time you dont do a experiment, instead you wrote a report based on a biological problem thats presently occurring in the world