Biology SKE

Our online Biology SKE is a flexible course allowing you to address gaps in your knowledge of Biology at GCSE and A-level. You’ll also be able to address your understanding of KS3 Physics and Chemistry.

Study a Biology SKE course 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 three sciences at GCSE and your specialist subject at A-level. You can refer to the resources whenever you need them in your training year – even after your SKE is complete.

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Course structure

The Sussex online Biology SKE is available as an eight,12,16, 20, 24 or 28-week course.

Once you have enrolled, you will be able to select from the following four-week units:

KS3 Science (focused 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-week course

You will select any seven units from the six Biology units and two general science units, giving you a comprehensive background in the Biology curriculum from KS3 to A-level.
24-week course

You will select any six units from the 6 Biology units and the two 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-week course

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

The 16-week course is very flexible. You select any four 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-week course

On the 12-week course you select any three 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.
Eight-week course

On the eight-week course you select any two 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.

Application deadlines

Our SKE courses have different deadlines depending on the length of the course you’re applying to.

See our application page for more information.

Eligibility and funding

SKE courses are funded by the Department for Education (DfE) if you have been offered a place on a PGCE course with enrolment on an SKE course as a condition of accepteance.

Find out more about SKE eligibility and funding.

Self-funded SKEs

We also offer a self-funded SKE route for:

teacher trainees who are not eligible for DfE funding
qualified teachers who want to teach a new subject, or refresh their subject knowledge before returning to teaching after a break
anyone considering teaching as a new career who wants to increase their subject knowledge before applying for teacher training.

Rather than four-week units, self-funded SKEs are based on blocks of 100 hours of study. You can choose which units you want to study and add additional units as you progress.

The cost is £800 for one 100 hour unit, and £500 for each additional unit. Fees can be paid by you or, if relevant, by your school/institution (schools within the Sussex Partnership or PGCE Pedagogy and Practice Partnership can apply for partnership rates).

If you have any questions about self-funding your SKE, email ske@sussex.ac.uk.

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.