Biology
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Biology Summer Courses
Explore the science of living organisms and the processes that make life possible with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Biology summer courses, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to investigate biological ideas beyond your usual studies and develop a deeper understanding of the living world.
Through academic teaching and independent study, you'll explore how biologists investigate life at different scales while developing your ability to analyse evidence, approach scientific questions critically and communicate your ideas clearly.
What's Included?
Your residential Biology summer course includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer from Heathrow and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
What Is Biology?
Biology is the study of life, from the processes taking place within individual cells to the interactions between organisms and entire ecosystems.
It explores how living organisms function, grow, reproduce and adapt, as well as how characteristics are inherited and how species change over time. Biological research can help us understand everything from human health and genetics to biodiversity and the natural environment.
Studying Biology also involves learning how scientists investigate living systems. Biologists use observations, evidence and scientific reasoning to develop explanations and test ideas about how life works.
A Biology summer course gives you the opportunity to explore these questions beyond your usual curriculum and develop a more analytical approach to understanding the living world.
What Will You Study on a Biology Summer Course?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your course and age group, you could explore areas such as cell biology, genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology or other areas of modern biological science.
You might consider questions such as:
- How do cells carry out the processes necessary for life?
- How are characteristics inherited from one generation to another?
- How and why do species evolve?
- How do different systems within an organism work together?
- How do organisms interact with their environments?
- How can biological research contribute to our understanding of health, disease and the natural world?
The depth and approach will reflect the age group you're studying with. Tutors can also develop the course around their own areas of expertise and the interests of their students.
Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on a Biology Summer Course
How you'll study Biology depends on your age group, with each programme designed to provide an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.
Ages 13–15
24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore biological ideas through interactive discussion, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to ask questions, examine evidence and explain the scientific reasoning behind your conclusions.
12 hours of private study
Between seminars, you'll complete independent work that could involve reading, researching a biological question, analysing information or preparing a presentation.
Ages 16–17 and 18–24
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring biological ideas through discussion, case studies and activities.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, providing a focused environment in which to discuss the essay or problem sheet you've been working on and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading in preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay or problem sheet for each tutorial.
Across all age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, engage critically with scientific ideas and develop the confidence to approach biological questions independently.
Who Are Our Biology Summer Courses For?
Our Biology summer courses are designed for students who are curious about living organisms and want to understand the processes behind life in greater depth.
You don't need to know which area of biology interests you most before joining. The courses may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy biology and other sciences, are fascinated by areas such as genetics, human biology or ecology, or are considering biology, medicine or another life science in the future.
You'll develop transferable skills including scientific reasoning, analysing evidence, critical thinking, problem-solving, independent study and communicating complex ideas clearly.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, industry and education.
They bring their own academic expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This allows each Biology summer course to explore different areas of biological science while maintaining an appropriate level of academic challenge.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can Biology Take You?
Biology provides a foundation for a wide range of scientific, medical and environmental subjects.
Students interested in the field may go on to study Biology itself or related subjects such as medicine, neuroscience, biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics, ecology or other life sciences.
The scientific, analytical and problem-solving skills associated with Biology can also support future paths across healthcare, biological research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, conservation and other science-based fields.
A Biology summer course gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which areas of biology interest you most.
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FAQs about Our Summer Courses
No. You don't usually need to have studied your chosen subject before joining an Atlas Summer Courses summer course. Courses are designed for the relevant age group, and tutors can adapt their approach to the abilities, interests and experience of the students in their group.
There is no fixed curriculum that every student follows. Our tutors create their own syllabi based on their academic expertise and the interests and learning needs of their students.
This means the exact topics can vary between courses and years. Any syllabus or topics shown on our website are examples from previous courses and shouldn't be taken as a guarantee of exactly what you'll study.
Teaching depends on your age group. Students aged 9–12 and Scholars aged 12–14 learn through structured, interactive small-group classes. Students aged 13–15 combine small-group seminars with private study, while students aged 16–17 and 18–24 experience seminars, tutorials and independent study.
Across our programmes, teaching is designed to encourage active participation, questioning and independent thinking rather than simply listening to lectures.
Your course includes your academic programme, accommodation, meals and a certificate on completion, alongside the activities and experiences included within your programme.
What's included can vary depending on the programme, age group and package you choose, so we recommend checking the individual course details for the full inclusions before applying.
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Summer Courses
Choose from over 40 subjects taught through flexible, age-appropriate programmes. Our tutors adapt their teaching methodologies to different age groups and shape course content around students’ interests, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
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