IGCSE BIOLOGY, HUMAN BIOLOGY OR BOTH?

Southwest science school now offers biology and human biology IGCSEs. So, which should you choose?

THE PROS & CONS OF HUMAN BIOLOGY

• It is slightly shorter. In a hurry? This might be the one for you.

• Biology has a 2 hour exam followed by a 1 hour 15 mins exam. Human biology has two 1 hr 45 minutes exams. It's personal preference if this makes a difference to you.

• There's no animals, plants or the environment. Great if you have no interest.

• It may affect your university options, especially if you take human biology A level. For example, an environmental degree is likely to favour students with A level biology.

• It's widely accepted. This wasn't always the case. In recent years human biology was not considered a viable IGCSE at many universities, especially for degrees like medicine. Fortunately this bias is dying away and it's more accepted than ever before. Check with your prefered university to be safe.

TAKING BOTH

Taking both can show commitment to biology and proves advanced knowledge beyond your peers. Some colleges will accept them as two separate IGCSEs whereas most universities won't. Contact your preferred college or university to clarify their point of view. Southwest science makes taking both easy. About 70% of the human biology IGCSE is covered in biology. Take biology as normal. The extra human biology lessons are then clearly labelled so you can just complete those to get both IGCSEs.

The choice is yours!