SKE Biology

The Sussex Online Biology SKE is a flexible course that allows you to address gaps in your knowledge of Biology at GCSE and A-level, whilst also providing options to address your understanding of the KS3 Physics and Chemistry that you are likely to teach.

Study a Biology SKE at Sussex

We offer a range of units for trainees from KS3 to A-Level. All are supported by excellent interactive “SnapRevise” resources. You will have access to all 3 sciences to GCSE and your specialist subject to A-level. Your subscription will remain active all through your training year, so you will be able to refer to the resources whenever you need them – even after your SKE is complete.

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Typical course structure

The Sussex Online Biology SKE is available as a 8,12,16, 20, 24 or 28 week course.

Once you have enrolled, you will be able to select from the following 4 week Units:

KS3 Science (focussed on developing your non-specialist sciences to KS3 standard)
KS3/KS4 Practical Science (Practical Science Skills across the 3 Sciences, but specialising in Biology)
GCSE Biology - Cells, Organ Systems, Respiration and Photosynthesis
GCSE Biology - Control Systems, Inheritance, Evolution and Ecology
A-Level Biology - Biological Molecules and Cells
A-Level Biology - Exchange Surfaces and Transport, Genetics and Biodiversity
A-level Biology - Photosynthesis, Respiration, Energy and Ecosystems
A-level Biology - Internal and External Stimuli, Homeostasis, Control of Gene Expression

28 weeks

You will select any 7 Units from the 6 Biology Units and the 2 General Science Units, giving you a comprehensive background in the Biology curriculum from KS3 to A-level.
24 weeks

You will select any 6 Units from the 6 Biology Units and the 2 General Science Units. You can cover all the GCSE and A-level curriculum or cover the general science units, GCSE and the Year 12 content (which is the A Level material that you are most likely to be asked to teach in the early years of your career).
20 weeks

A 20 week course allows you to select any 5 Units. You can focus on GCSE or the A-level curriculum and also familiarise yourself with the curriculum in other key stages.
16 weeks

A 16 week course is very flexible. You select any 4 Units. If you will be teaching in an 11-16 school, then you can focus on KS3 and KS4 units. Alternatively, you can cover the full A-level curriculum and ensure you are prepared for the challenge of post-16 classes. You are also free to select units that span KS3 to A-level to give you a broad overview of the Biology curriculum.
12 weeks

On the 12 Week course you select any 3 Units. For most students we suggest completing the KS3 Science Unit and the two GCSE Units, but get in touch with us at ske@sussex.ac.uk if you would like to do a different selection.
8 weeks

On the 8 Week course you select any 2 Units. Most students will complete both GCSE Units or the KS3 Unit and one of the GCSE Units. Get in touch with us at ske@sussex.ac.uk if you would like to do a different selection.

Eligibility for Department for Education (DfE) bursary

To be eligible for the £175/week DfE bursary, you must:

hold an offer of a ITE place, which is conditional on your completion of an SKE course of the specified length
NOT have previously attended any other DfE-funded SKE course
have a degree of 2:2 or above (if your degree subject is an exact match to your SKE subject, then it must have been awarded more than five years ago)
be considered a ‘home’ fee status student.

Payment of your bursary will be dependent on submission of assignments and ongoing participation.

Resources

In addition to input from specialist subject tutors you will also receive:

a physical copy of a GCSE and/or A-level textbook, as well as a revision guide.
a full subscription to the excellent SnapRevise materials, an interactive course of videos and short assessments (You will have access to all 3 sciences for GCSE and the materials for A-level in your specialist subject. You’ll retain access to these until the end of your training year)
a fully paid subscription to ExamPro, a database of past KS3, GCSE and A-level exam questions
access to thousands of relevant physical and e-books through our Library
licensed software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Pro
access to Box of Broadcasts, a huge collection of documentaries, schools TV, films and drama that you can stream for free.