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International A Level Recognised by UK universities · YBI11From £49.99/mo paying today

International A Level Biology Online Course

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Updated

Study Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology online with a named UK tutor, and sit the same International A Level accepted by UK universities. Six units, all written papers, sat in any order across January, June and October series at a Tutors & Exams centre near you. No laboratory practical work or practical endorsement is required.

Course facts

International A Level Biology (Pearson Edexcel YBI11) online with Lift College, with a named UK tutor: £449.99 a year (that is £37.50 a month) or £49.99 a month when you pay today, pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Prefer to try it first? Free for 7 days, then £59.99 a month or £611.99 a year.

QualificationInternational A Level Biology
LevelAdvanced level, grades A* to E
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel
ExamsExam entry and seat booking are through Tutors & Exams, and only on the +Exams plan.
Price£449.99 a year or £49.99 a month when you pay today: pay for 9 months, get 3 free, price fixed for life. Prefer to try it first? Free for 7 days, then £59.99 a month or £611.99 a year.
Typical duration18 to 24 months, or faster if you study more each week
AgeOpen to anyone aged 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support.
Who it suitsYou want a biology qualification at A Level standard that UK universities accept for entry to biology, biomedical science, nursing, midwifery, sport science and related degrees.
How exams work£0 today. Nothing is charged until day 8. Cancel any time from your account.
Pearson Edexcel
Awarded by Pearson EdexcelThe same International A Level sat in international schools worldwide. Specification YBI11.
Tutors and Exams, exam centre partner
Exams at 9 Tutors & Exams centresOur official exam centre partner. On +Exams we enter you and book your seat.
Read our reviews onTrustpilot
Independent reviewsEvery review on our Trustpilot page is from a Lift College learner.
Pearson Edexcel
Awarding
body
How do you want to pay?

Start today with your named UK tutor from day one. 14-day money-back guarantee, or try it free.

£1,169.99/year · +Exams · £97.50 a month

14-day money-back guarantee on every payment

£1,169.99 today for 12 months. Change your mind within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
+ Add to basket and choose another course

Studying more than one course? 2 courses save 5%, 3 save 10%, 4 or more save 15%.

Next: secure payment with Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted.

7-day free trial
14-day money back on every payment
No contract, cancel any time from your account
No credit check
Exams sat at 9 Tutors & Exams centres
LevelAdvanced level, grades A* to E
SpecificationPearson Edexcel YBI11
Exams6 written units across IAS and IA2
PracticalsNone in a lab. Examined on paper
Exam seriesJanuary, May/June and October
Typical duration18 to 24 months
CourseworkNone. 100% written exams
How paying works

Try it free. Stay while it works for you. Leave whenever you like.

There is no course fee to find, no finance agreement to sign and no debt to worry about. Your first 7 days are free, then you pay for the month you are in, and every payment is covered by the 14-day money back guarantee. Prefer to pay today? Skip the trial and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life, with the same 14-day guarantee.

+Exams on Monthly: Monthly comes with a 9-month expected term because exam fees are built in. Cancel any time, no exit fee; exam credit you have not used is forfeited and unbooked exams are void. Pay annually and no term applies.

The Lift College promise

You never sign a credit agreement with us, so there is no debt and nothing for anyone to chase. If you stop paying, you simply stop studying. No finance company, no loan and no letters.

Start your free trial
Your exams, handled

Nine centres across England. One partner. Your seat booked for you.

The hardest part of studying an International A Level outside school has always been the exam. Lift College and Tutors & Exams remove it: you study online with us, and you sit the same Pearson Edexcel papers as any school candidate at a professional Tutors & Exams centre, with your entry, venue and invigilation arranged through the partnership.

Tutors and Exams, exam centre partner
Specialist private-candidate exam centres. Lift College's official exam centre partner.
10dedicated exam centres across England, 9 approved for International A Levels
95%+of GCSE and A Level specifications assessed
63%of UK adults live within reach of a centre
DBSevery centre staff member trained and enhanced DBS checked
JCQ compliant and approved by
JCQ, Joint Council for QualificationsAQAPearson EdexcelCambridge OCREduqas, part of WJECCambridge International Education
Figures and approvals published by Tutors & Exams, tutorsandexams.uk, September 2026.
January seriesJanuary

Runs in January. All six units are available, so you can sit your first units early in the year.

May/June seriesMay to June

Runs from May to June. The main series, where most learners sit their final units.

October seriesOctober

Runs in October. All six units are available, a good fit for a resit or an early first unit.

On +Exams we enter you before Pearson's deadline for the series you choose.

1
Enrol and study online

Start your free trial, meet your named UK tutor and work through the Pearson Edexcel specification at your own pace.

2
We enter you and book your seat

On +Exams, Lift College submits your Pearson Edexcel entry and books your place at the Tutors & Exams centre you choose, before the entry deadline.

3
Sit the same papers, get the same certificate

Trained invigilators, a room built for formal assessment, and a Pearson Edexcel certificate identical to a school candidate's.

BirminghamBoltonCoventryHigh WycombeMitchamNewcastleRomfordSt NeotsTauntonFind your nearest centre →
On +ExamsYour Pearson Edexcel entry fee and centre fee are included in the monthly price. We enter you before the deadline and confirm your seat by email.
Access arrangementsExtra time, a reader or scribe, rest breaks or a separate room are arranged by Tutors & Exams' in-house SEN team, free at the point of delivery, with evidence of your normal way of working.
“The one thing we could not control was the exam day itself, and now we can. Our learners are in the safest possible hands.”Kate Strohm, Managing Director, Lift College
“No learner should find their opportunities limited simply because they study outside of a traditional school or college setting.”Ben Connors, Managing Director, Tutors & Exams
Read the partnership announcement
Who this is for

This course is for you if

  • You want a biology qualification at A Level standard that UK universities accept for entry to biology, biomedical science, nursing, midwifery, sport science and related degrees.
  • You want to complete the whole qualification from home. There is no laboratory practical work or practical endorsement; practical skills are examined on paper.
  • You want to sit exams in stages. Six units across three series a year means you can enter each unit when you are ready and resit a single unit rather than the whole exam.
What you will need

Entry requirements

  • Open to anyone aged 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support. There are no formal entry qualifications.
  • Recommended starting point: a grade 6 or above at GCSE or International GCSE Biology, Combined Science or Double Award Science, or equivalent. This is recommended, not required, and the first unit revises the cell biology and chemistry you need before moving on.
  • A computer, tablet or phone with internet access, a scientific calculator (not one with symbolic algebra or stored text), a ruler and a pen. No laboratory access is needed.
  • The ability to attend a Tutors & Exams centre in England for your written papers.

There is no minimum study time. Most learners spend 6 to 8 hours a week and finish in 18 to 24 months, or faster if you study more each week. Assignments are for feedback and do not count towards your grade.

International vs UK

How this differs from A Level Biology

There is no laboratory practical work, no practical endorsement and no coursework. Practical skills are examined on paper in Units 3 and 6, so the whole International A Level Biology can be completed from home apart from the exam days themselves.

AspectThis international courseA Level Biology
Practical workNone in a laboratory. Two written practical skills papers (Units 3 and 6) test your understanding of the 18 core practicals.12 required practicals carried out in a school laboratory, plus a pass or fail practical endorsement reported alongside your grade.
StructureModular. Six units sat in any order across January, May/June and October, with the option to stop at International AS.Linear. Three papers all sat in one May/June series at the end of the course.
ResitsResit any single unit. The better of your two most recent attempts counts.The whole qualification is resat in a later May/June series.
Exam seriesJanuary, May/June and October.May/June only.
Grades and UCAS TariffA* to E. No Tariff points, but UK universities accept it for entry; check your chosen course.A* to E. Carries UCAS Tariff points.
UK regulator's registerNot listed. An international qualification from Pearson Edexcel, a UK awarding body.Listed.

Need the UK version instead? See A Level Biology →

Studying this at home?

Home education from age 14

  • From age 14 with a parent or guardian's permission; the parent holds the account.
  • Exams booked for you at a named Tutors & Exams centre on +Exams.
  • Your named tutor can be your UCAS referee.
See the home education hub
New
For parents and guardians

Follow every step in the parent portal

Every family studying with us can have its own parent portal. See how your child is getting on week by week, agree a study plan together and get a short summary in your inbox, without ever having to ask "have you done any work?".

  • Progress at a glance. Study days, lessons finished and progress against their target.
  • Their work and marks. Everything they hand in, with the mark and their tutor's feedback.
  • A plan you make together. A weekly study plan, an alert if it slips and a weekly summary.
A quick tour of the parent portal
Download the parent guide
What you'll study

Every topic in the Pearson Edexcel YBI11 specification, in one course

The Pearson Edexcel YBI11 specification is organised into six units, each with its own exam. Four content units cover eight topics, and two written practical skills papers examine your understanding of the 18 core practicals. Open each topic to see what it covers.

How the units map to the topics
Unit 1
20%
Unit 2
20%
Unit 3
10%
Unit 4
20%
Unit 5
20%
Unit 6
10%
Units 1, 2, 4 and 5 are 20% each · the two written practical skills papers are 10% eachSource: Pearson Edexcel YBI11 specification
1Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health
Unit WBI11 · IAS unit · 1 hour 30 minutes · 80 marks
  • Topic 1, Molecules, Transport and Health: water, carbohydrates, lipids, the heart and circulation, cardiovascular disease and diet
  • Topic 2, Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression: cell membranes and transport, enzymes, DNA replication, protein synthesis and inheritance
2Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation
Unit WBI12 · IAS unit · 1 hour 30 minutes · 80 marks
  • Topic 3, Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, mitosis and meiosis, gametes, fertilisation and stem cells
  • Topic 4, Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation: plant cells and tissues, biodiversity, classification, adaptation and conservation
3Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology I
Unit WBI13 · IAS unit · 1 hour 20 minutes · 50 marks
  • Written paper on the core practicals from Units 1 and 2: planning, apparatus, method, risk, recording and processing data
  • Interpreting results, identifying errors and uncertainty, evaluating conclusions
4Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity
Unit WBI14 · IA2 unit · 1 hour 45 minutes · 90 marks
  • Topic 5, Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment: photosynthesis, energy transfer, ecosystems, climate change and evidence
  • Topic 6, Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics: microorganisms, infection, the immune response, antibiotics and forensic techniques
5Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology
Unit WBI15 · IA2 unit · 1 hour 45 minutes · 90 marks
  • Topic 7, Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment: aerobic and anaerobic respiration, muscle structure, homeostasis and exercise
  • Topic 8, Coordination, Response and Gene Technology: the nervous system, hormones, the brain, and gene technology
6Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology II
Unit WBI16 · IA2 unit · 1 hour 20 minutes · 50 marks
  • Written paper on the core practicals from Units 1, 2, 4 and 5, including experimental design and statistical analysis
  • Evaluating methods and conclusions, and applying practical understanding to unfamiliar contexts
Step 1Plan your unit order with your tutor

Most learners take Units 1, 2 and 3 first for the International AS, then Units 4, 5 and 6. You can sit units in any series you are ready for.

Step 2Practise under exam conditions

Every topic ends with marked, exam style questions, including practical skills questions. Before each entry you sit a full timed mock for that unit with written feedback.

Step 3Sit units when you are ready

On +Exams your unit entries, your final cash-in and your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre are booked for you and the fees are included.

Read the full Pearson Edexcel specification ↗Lift College teaches to the current Pearson Edexcel specification, so what you study is exactly what is examined.
Assessment

How you are assessed

Six written unit exams, all questions compulsory. Units 1 and 2 are 1 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks, Units 4 and 5 are 1 hour 45 minutes and 90 marks, and the two practical skills papers (Units 3 and 6) are 1 hour 20 minutes and 50 marks. Units can be sat in any order and in different series; any unit can be resat and the better of your two most recent attempts counts. A calculator is allowed. There is no laboratory assessment, no practical endorsement and no coursework.

UnitLengthMarksWeightingContent
Unit 1 Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health (WBI11)1 hour 30 minutes80 marks20%Topic 1, Molecules, Transport and Health; Topic 2, Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression. Sat in January, May/June or October.
Unit 2 Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation (WBI12)1 hour 30 minutes80 marks20%Topic 3, Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development; Topic 4, Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation. Sat in January, May/June or October.
Unit 3 Practical Skills in Biology I (WBI13)1 hour 20 minutes50 marks10%Written paper on practical skills, techniques and data from the core practicals in Units 1 and 2. Sat in January, May/June or October.
Unit 4 Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity (WBI14)1 hour 45 minutes90 marks20%Topic 5, Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment; Topic 6, Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics. Sat in January, May/June or October.
Unit 5 Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology (WBI15)1 hour 45 minutes90 marks20%Topic 7, Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment; Topic 8, Coordination, Response and Gene Technology. Sat in January, May/June or October.
Unit 6 Practical Skills in Biology II (WBI16)1 hour 20 minutes50 marks10%Written paper on practical skills, techniques and data from the core practicals across the course. Sat in January, May/June or October.
Study support

A named UK tutor from enrolment to exam day

Your named tutor

The same qualified UK subject expert supports you from enrolment through to your exam series.

Marked practice in every unit

Exam style tasks with individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days.

Progress you can see

Unit scores and topic strengths on your dashboard, which your tutor uses to tailor feedback.

Exam readiness check

A timed mock paper and a written summary of what to focus on before you are entered.

What International A Level Biology costs online

Pay today, pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Pay monthly and start today for £10 a month less than after a trial. Prefer to try it first? Start for £0 today on the 7-day free trial.

International A Level Biology prices at Lift College
Study+Exams
Pay today, yearlyBest value3 months free, fixed for life£449.99 a yearthat is £37.50 a month£1,169.99 a yearthat is £97.50 a month
Pay today, monthly£10 a month less than after a trial£49.99 a month£129.99 a month
7-day free trial first£0 today, first payment on day 8£59.99 a monthor £611.99 a year£139.99 a monthor £1,427.99 a year

+Exams paid monthly has an expected term of 9 months, as exam fees are built in: cancel any time with no exit fee, but unused exam credit is lost. No term applies if you pay yearly.

  • 14-day money back
  • No contract
  • No credit check
  • No finance agreement
  • Cancel any time

How the cost compares

NEC charges £730 for the course, paid in full or in instalments. With Lift College you can start for £0 today, and a full year of Study is £449.99 when you pay today.

Full International A Level Biology course fees (not sale prices), from each provider's own website on 22 October 2026
ProviderCourse feeHow you pay
Lift College Lowest cost to start£449.99for 12 months, Study, paid today£0 today on the 7-day free trial. Monthly or yearly, no contract, no credit check, cancel any time
NEC£730In full, or a £73 deposit then 0% APR finance with Omni

Our Study plan does not include exams. Our guide to the best online International A Level courses in the UK compares this with four other providers.

Pricing

Choose how you want to study

Every option includes the full course, tutor marking and study support. The difference is whether we handle your exams. Pick your option, then try it free for 7 days or pay today and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life.

How do you want to pay?

Start today with your named UK tutor from day one. 14-day money-back guarantee, or try it free.

£1,169.99/year · +Exams · £97.50 a month

14-day money-back guarantee on every payment

£1,169.99 today for 12 months. Change your mind within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
+ Add to basket and choose another course

Studying more than one course? 2 courses save 5%, 3 save 10%, 4 or more save 15%.

Next: secure payment with Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted.

Both options include
  • Full course content and tutor marking
  • Named UK tutor and study support
  • Exam entry and centre fees included
  • Exam booking handled for you

Learner reviews

What our learners say

Six of our latest reviews, as posted on Trustpilot.

See all our reviews onTrustpilot
5 out of 5 · Verified

A Level Psychology On Line Course Lift College

I have enrolled on this on line course and the support/response to queries that I have received to date have been timely and effective. The college also provides a learning plan to comlete the course and mock exams, together with helpful reminders of allocated study days (you self select them and they send you a reminder to keep you on track). The modules are clear and easy to understand and a broken down into sections including question and answer sections and model answers and where applicable worked out calculations. There is a need to take notes from the online materials as there are no PDF work books to download. The assigments are completed in a text box and marked accordingly and saved into your records. Once you get used to using the learning portal (which is not too difficult) it is a fairly straightforward learning process. It is worth paying the money for this course and the level of support provided by the college.

Read more on Trustpilot
Simon G.A Level Psychology · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Lift College is very flexible

Lift College is very flexible, allowing me to study GCSE Biology while working full time. The course is straightforward and include helpful tips for passing the exams.

LalaineGCSE Biology · 2 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

I have just enrolled with Lift College

I have just enrolled with Lift College today on a free trial. So far so good, I have accessed my course (GCSE Maths) on my platform and everything looks great. Also met my tutor who is very friendly and helpful too. Will update the reviews when I am further down the line.

Read more on Trustpilot
Paul S.GCSE Maths · 2 Sep 2026
5 out of 5

Prompt Assignment Feedback

I have been studying with Lift College for the past month, and so far, my experience has been positive. The team provides excellent support, and assignments are marked with helpful feedback, usually within three working days. This quick turnaround is particularly valuable as it helps me manage my studies alongside my workplace commitments.

Read more on Trustpilot
ChinthakaLift College learner · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Clearly structured and designed for learning

I recently started the CMI Level 5 course through Lift College. I was attracted to this provider due to the clean and modern design of their website. I asked the support staff a few questions before enrolling, and their responses were fast and informative. When I started the course, I was impressed by how well organised the material was and how the lessons were structured. I have taken many online courses before, including postgraduate courses from UK universities. What I expected was a few videos made using a webcam, plus several dozen PDF files that had to be read. However, the materials provided by Lift College are of excellent quality, well designed, and purpose-made. As a teacher myself with 20 years' experience, I recognised clear and deliberate efforts to help students learn more effectively. Lift College isn't just giving you a load of reading material and letting you get on with it. They have designed prompts, revision boxes, spot quizzes, and other features to ensure that learning is actively facilitated.

Read more on Trustpilot
Derek H.CMI Level 5 · 6 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

Excellent customer service

Excellent customer service and the enrolment process was very smooth. Started my course three weeks ago and I’m loving it.

George B.Lift College learner · 6 Nov 2026
See all our reviews onTrustpilot
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is an International A Level the same as an A Level?

It is at the same standard, graded A* to E, and set and marked by Pearson Edexcel, a UK awarding body. It is the International A Level sat in international schools worldwide rather than the A Level sat in English sixth forms. UK universities accept it for entry, but always check the specific requirements of the course you have in mind.

How old do I need to be?

Open to anyone aged 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support. There are no formal entry qualifications.

Do I have to do practical work in a laboratory?

No. Unlike the UK A Level, there is no laboratory assessment and no practical endorsement. Practical skills are examined in two written papers, Units 3 and 6, which ask about the method, apparatus, data and evaluation of the 18 core practicals. You learn those practicals through video demonstrations and real data in the course.

Why six units rather than three papers?

Pearson Edexcel International A Levels are modular. You sit six unit exams in any order across January, June and October series. If one unit goes badly you can resit that unit alone and the better of your two most recent attempts counts. Once all six are done, your results are combined for the final grade.

Can I stop at International AS Level?

Yes. Units 1, 2 and 3 make up the International Advanced Subsidiary in Biology, graded A to E, and those results also count towards the full International A Level if you carry on.

Can I use a calculator?

Yes, in every unit. You need a scientific calculator. Calculators with symbolic algebra, stored text or internet access are not allowed.

Is this accepted for medicine, nursing or biomedical degrees?

Many UK universities accept International A Level Biology in place of A Level Biology, but some science and medical courses also look for evidence of laboratory practical skills, which this qualification does not include. Check the entry requirements of the specific course before you enrol, and ask your tutor if you are unsure.

When can I sit the exams?

Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology units are examined in January, May/June and October. On +Exams we enter you for each unit and book your seat at one of the Tutors & Exams centres for the series you are ready for.

Where will I sit the exams?

At one of the nine Tutors & Exams centres in England approved for International A Levels. Use the centre finder to see your nearest. If you are outside the UK you would need to travel to a centre for each series.

What does the Study option include?

The full course, your named UK tutor, marked practice in every unit, mock papers and AI Study Support.

What if I stop paying?

You simply stop studying. There is no contract, no credit agreement and no debt. You can cancel from your account at any time and there is 14-day money back on every payment.

Does this qualification appear on the UK regulator's register?

No. It is set, examined and awarded by Pearson Edexcel, a UK awarding body, and is the same International A Level sat in international schools worldwide, but Pearson states that its International A Levels are not regulated by a UK regulator. If you need a qualification on that register specifically, look at our A Level Biology course instead.

How much does International A Level Biology cost online?

International A Level Biology with Lift College is £449.99 a year or £49.99 a month on the Study plan when you pay today: pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Or start for £0 today on the 7-day free trial, then £59.99 a month or £611.99 a year. +Exams, with your exam entry and centre fees included, is £1,169.99 a year or £129.99 a month when you pay today. Every payment has a 14-day money back guarantee.

How long does International A Level Biology take online?

It typically takes 18 to 24 months online with a named UK tutor, or less if you study more each week. Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology units are examined in January, May/June and October. You and your tutor choose the series you are ready for.

Can I start International A Level Biology today?

Yes. Pay today and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life. Or start on the 7-day free trial, with £0 today and nothing charged until day 8. Either way you meet your named UK tutor and start the course straight away, with a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment. The course is open to anyone aged 14 or over; under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support.

How much do other online International A Level Biology courses cost in the UK?

Lift College's International A Level Biology is £449.99 for 12 months when you pay today, or £0 today on the 7-day free trial and then £59.99 a month, with no contract and no credit check. NEC charges £730 for the course, from their own websites on 22 October 2026. None of these fees includes exams, and nor does our Study plan.

Not sure if International A Level Biology is right for you?

A UK adviser calls you back within 2 working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. No sales script.

Further readingBest online International A Level courses in the UK →
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