A Level Geography

“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future" - Michael Palin.

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, social issues and natural hazards, A level Geography is one of the most relevant subjects you could choose to study. Students 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.

The A level Geography course is split into Human and Physical Geography, with an exam paper which focuses on each of these.

Paper 1 focuses on Physical Geography and looks at a range of topics such Water and Carbon cycles, which is directly related to the current climate change issues. Hazards is the focus of one section which covers not only volcanoes and earthquakes, but also the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones as the result of climate change, and the increasing intensity of wildfires. The final section focuses on Coastal Systems considering the reasons for coastal flooding and the management techniques used to approach this.

Paper 2 focuses on Human Geography with topics such as Population and the Environment; Global systems and Global Governance; as well as Changing Places. These topics are useful for generating debate and allowing students to apply their knowledge to a worldwide context as well as linking in to current affairs.

Students will also carry out an independent investigation (NEA) which must include data collected in the field. This will be based on a question or issue that has been selected and developed by the student and must relate to a topic covered in the specification.

We follow the AQA Geography specification which builds on the skills taught for the GCSE.

Paper 1: Physical geography – 2 hour 30 minute exam (40% of the A Level) which comprises of three sections of questions based on the three topic areas. The questions are a mix of short answer and extended written answers.

Paper 2: Human geography – 2 hour 30 minute exam (40% of the A Level) which comprises of three sections of questions based on the three main topic areas. The questions are a mix of short answer and extended written answers.

Geography fieldwork investigation – A 3,000-4,000 words investigation which is worth 20% of the A Level. This is marked by teachers and then moderated by the exam board.

Students need to have at least 5 GCSE's at grade 4 or above including Geography at grade 5.

Geography is one of the most current subjects in the academic world, which allows you to develop a wide range of very employable and transferrable skills and attributes. You will learn subject knowledge which is highly relevant to many of the challenges facing society and the environment today. You will also use specialist skills including statistical, spatial and environmental skills; develop analysis and research skills and tackle problems using data. Geography also complements a range of other subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Sociology.