
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Please note: the International GCSE CORE Biology is being withdrawn, with final exams in May/June 2026.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.
- Download the specification
- View our training courses to help you deliver 91³Ô¹ÏÍø International GCSE CORE Biology
- published by Oxford University Press for the full International GCSE qualification, to help you with teaching Core
- View our resources page for International GCSE CORE Biology
- View the syllabus matching grid for the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø International GCSE Biology Student Book
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.


