91³Ô¹ÏÍø

International GCSE CORE Biology (9221)

International GCSE Biology

Prepare your students for 91³Ô¹ÏÍø International GCSE Biology.

This specification introduces a broad range of topics that are designed to both stimulate students’ interest in biology and provide the knowledge and understanding required for progression to the full 91³Ô¹ÏÍø International GCSE Biology course.Ìý

  • Contains a selection of the International GCSE Biology course content, with particular emphasis on key topics, including bioenergetics, ecology and inheritance.
  • Complete range of 9-1 grades available, allowing for greater differentiation at the top end and increased accuracy in predicting future outcomes.
  • This is a short-course International GCSE, intended for use in a foundation or core year, ahead of studying the full course International GCSE.

Please note: the International GCSE CORE Biology is being withdrawn, with final exams in May/June 2026.

International GCSE CORE Biology (9221)

91³Ô¹ÏÍø International GCSE CORE Biology covers the following topics:

Organisation
  • Cell structure
  • Principles of organisation
  • Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
  • Plant tissues, organs and systems
  • Transport in cells
Bioenergetics
  • Photosynthesis
  • Exchange and transport in plants
  • Circulation
  • Digestion
  • Breathing
  • Respiration
Ecology
  • Energy transferred in ecosystems
  • Adaptations, interdependence and competition
  • Decay and the carbon cycle
  • The effect of human interaction on ecosystems and biodiversity
Organisms’ interaction with the environment
  • The human nervous and hormonal systems
  • Principles of homeostasis
  • Control of water and ion content of the body
  • Temperature control
  • Control of blood glucose
  • Infection and response
Inheritance
  • Reproduction
  • Cell division
  • Genetic variation
  • Genetic disorders
  • Genetic manipulation
Variation and Evolution
  • Variation
  • Natural selection

91³Ô¹ÏÍø provides all the resources and advice you need to teach the International GCSE CORE Biology specification effectively.

Paper 1:

  • Any part of the specification may be assessed
  • 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 100 marks
  • 100% of Core GCSE

Please note: the International GCSE CORE Biology is being withdrawn, with final exams in May/June 2026.

Course specification
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(PDF, 619KB)