Will they let me do Biology for AS and A2 level?

Question

I have just received my GCSE grades and for me to do A-level Biology I needed to gain a B for Science (school requirements). However, I didn't quite manage to, I got a C. I took the higher tier for Biology and foundation for Chemistry and Physics - I had to basically push for it... Overall, I got C, with 66 out of 90 for Biology.

I've spoken to the head of year and the person responsible to see whether or not I could do an A-levels on it at the school but unfortunately they said no.

I discussed this with a family friend who is a teacher, and he said that I could still do it and that the board doesn't say that students who do not gain a B or above should not be allowed to take it for A-levels. He told me that they're just basing it on personal judgement.

I really, really want to to this subject as I have such big interest for it. The school say that a B is required as I would find it hard, but i know with time and hard work I could get an excellent grade!

The family friend will be ringing the head of Biology to try and push them and see if they would allow me to take it. Based on this... do you think they will accept?

Answer 1

My boyfriend had a C in science and got into biology AS...

Just let them know you are willing to work hard and are really interested in the subject and couldnt see yourself doing a different subject to take its place :)

Im quite sure you will be able to just keep trying and they will know your determined enough :)

C is a good grade well done! x*x

Answer 2

its more than likely they will let you have a go but dont underestimate how rock hard it is

i finished my AS in biology and i only got a D (im going to resit) and i really felt i worked on it  

Answer 3

To be honest I really don't think you should do Biology a level. If you didn't manage it at GCSE then A-level will be so hard. I know so many people who enjoyed biology at GCSE and hated it at A-level as there is sooo much to learn. It is possibly the hardest A-level you could do. So i really think that you shouldnt take it. But good luck whatever you decide to do x*x

Answer 4

Unfortunately the school/college themselves can put conditions on whether they accept you onto a course or not.  However, gaining a C in Science you should be easily accepted to Biology GCSE.  If I was you I'd ring some local colleges and see where they stand on letting you do it - I'm sure they'll all say yes.  Then go back to your school and explain that you can do it else-where and that it is the subject you really want to take.  They won't want to loose the funding they get for having you.  If they still don't let you do it - go to a college and take it.

Answer 5

I'm not sure how it works where you live, but over at my school they have this policy that, if a person gets a C instead of a B, then said person will get an interview to talk about whether they can really do it and whether it would be worth it for them to go on the course.  Then, someone in the department looks over all the previous assessments and work said person has done to see if it's just examinations (or coursework, or whatever) that they aren't very good at.  Then the department will make a decision whether it would be worth the person's time to go on the course.  :]  

It really comes down to this:  Would the work you have done in the past two years show that you are capable of doing much harder stuff?