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A level Geography

What is the A level about?

There has never been a better or more important time to study A level Geography. Dealing with vital issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, geopolitics, energy security and natural hazards, A level Geography is one of the most relevant subjects you could choose to study. Pupils enjoy the scope of the material they cover in Geography, the insights it can provide into the world around us and the highly contemporary nature of the issues it tackles. Whatever your passion for the world – fascination with landscapes or concerns about sustainability – Geography will provide you with knowledge and transferable skills that will reward you personally and advance you professionally.

Modules

  • Lower Sixth: Tectonic Hazards and Landscapes, Coastal Landscapes, Globalisation, Diverse Places
  • Upper Sixth: Superpower Geography; Health, Human Rights and Interventions; Water Cycle and Water Insecurity; Carbon Cycle and Energy Insecurity.

You will also research and write a piece of coursework, known as the NEA, of your choice.

Assessment

Paper 1: Physical Geography: 30%
Paper 2: Human Geography: 30%
Paper 3: Synoptic Paper:20%

Coursework: Non Examined Assessment 20%

What skills should I have?

You will learn in a wide variety of ways, using maps, GIS skills, data analysis, photos, videos, and podcasts, as well as attending classes and fieldwork study days. You will be encouraged to frame your own questions using higher level thinking skills and show your grasp of complex issues through report and essay writing. Fieldwork will be an essential part of your A Level course. With these things in mind need to have good numeracy and literacy skills, be willing to read widely to inform your written work and discussions in class, be ready to share your opinion based on evidence and work collaboratively.

What trips are involved?

There are four days of fieldwork, two to physical environments and two to human environment. These are compulsory.

What else should I consider before choosing?

For more information click here.

What books should I read?

You will be given textbooks for the course but you will also be encouraged to keep up to date with geographical stories in the news, to access the geography section in the library as well as the online journals on the library website. Your commitment to wider reading is essential and better equips you for success.

Exam Board

Pearson Edexcel

Entry Criteria

You will need at least a grade 6 in Geography GCSE to gain entry onto Geography A level. You should also be confident in your writing skills as is it an essay based subject alongside some basic numeracy skills.

Career Pathways

Statistics for employability consistently show that Geography graduates are highly employable, working across a wide range of sectors and roles.

Jobs directly related to a Geography degree:

  • Cartographer
  • Data analyst
  • Environmental consultant
  • Geographical information systems officer
  • Climate change modeller
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Social researcher
  • Town Planner

Jobs where your degree would be useful:

  • Construction manager
  • Landscape architect
  • Nature conservation officer
  • Political risk analyst
  • Sustainability consultant
  • Transport planner