A Level Geography

Course Description

Geography encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. This A Level course enables students to be inspired by their geographical understanding, to engage critically with real world issues and places, and to apply their geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. Students will grow as independent thinkers and as informed and engaged citizens, who understand the role and importance of geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to understanding the world’s changing peoples, places and environments.

“Why should I study Geography?”

Geography is an enjoyable, interesting and topical subject and is concerned with the world in which we live.
It is useful for many careers in both arts and sciences and is essential for some jobs. It is a subject which connects the arts and sciences. It is about the future and encourages flexible thinking.

Geography provides the basis for the study of many other subjects and is an option that combines with many other A-Level choices. Geography is a subject valued by universities as it offers flexibility along with the learning of vital skills. Geography addresses global and current issues, developing new areas of study and provides a firm basis for life-long learning. Geography is a subject providing many essential skills which are useful for future employment opportunities.

“What will I study?”

Geography A-Level builds on the work started at GCSE. There is a mix of topics that you will have studied at GCSE as well as areas of study which are new to you such as tectonic hazards, water insecurity and the carbon cycle.

The course consists of four areas of study:

  • Dynamic Landscapes – e.g. Tectonic Processes & Hazards and Coastal Landscapes
  • Dynamic Places – e.g. Globalisation and Regenerating Places
  • Physical Systems and Sustainability e.g. Water Insecurity and Energy Security
  • Human Systems and Geopolitics e.g. Superpowers and Migration
Assessment

There are three exam papers: Paper 1 (Physical Geography) worth 30%, Paper 2 (Human Geography) worth 30%, Paper 3 (Synoptic) worth 20% and an Independent Investigation (Coursework) worth 20%.

Papers 1, 2 and 3 are externally assessed and the Independent Investigation is internally assessed and externally moderated. There are fieldwork requirements across the two-year course which will be fulfilled using a combination of local fieldwork visits and virtual fieldwork sessions in lesson time.

There are also internal mock exams in Year 12 and Year 13 and smaller assessments throughout the course based on the different topics.

Careers

Geography is a popular subject for many students to take at degree level and a variety of different geography based courses are available at lots of universities.

Geography helps you to better understand the world’s people, places and environments from the local to the global scale. The variety of skills and knowledge are relevant to almost all jobs and workplaces. Careers in Geography include but are not limited to:

Cartographer, researcher, climate change analyst, journalist, teacher, environmental manager, exploration geologist, GIS manager, diplomat, land surveyor, landscape architect, water conservation officer, meteorologist, nature conservation officer, recycling officer, sustainability consultant, tourist information, transport planner, town and country planner or travel agent.

Entry Requirements

Grade 6 in GCSE Geography

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