Qualification: A Level Geography (Edexcel)
Course Tutor: Ms P Monk
Course entry requirements: General A level requirements including a grade 5 or above on the new specifications and a grade 5 or above in English Language or Literature. Students achieving a grade 4 in Geography may be considered through a discussion with the Head of Geography.
Students who have not taken GCSE Geography will need a 5 in English and a grade 6 in another humanities subject, preferably History.
Course description
A level Geography is a two year linear A level course designed to address the key issues and debates in our world today. It specifically looks at contemporary based issues such as geopolitics, changing world powers and climate hazard impacts which will have a direct impact on our lives in the near future.
The course gives students the opportunity to develop in depth understandings of both human and physical geography, the complexity of people and environment questions and issues, and to become critical, reflective independent learners; a highly sought after skill both in further education and in the work place.
Physical topics: Tectonic hazards, landscapes and change, water cycle and insecurity, carbon cycle and energy security and climate change futures.
Human topics: Globalisation, shaping places, superpowers and global development.
Fieldwork
All A level students must complete four separate fieldwork experiences.
Students will study coastal landscapes as part of a 3-day visit to Dorset. A further day will be made up of a day trip to London or another location that is relevant to the student’s NEA topic. Please be aware there is a financial cost to these trips when you choose A level Geography.
Examination
There are three exams, all 2hr and 15mins in length. Unit 4 is an NEA (non examined assessment) started at the end of year 12 for a submission at the start of January in the second year of their course. This allows students to study in depth an area of their choosing.
Post-18 Opportunities and Employment
Geography is relevant to a wide range of careers, not only in its focus on contemporary issues and real world examples, but also on the methods and skills that it teaches. In particular, students develop skills in decision making which are ideal for a wide range of employment.
Future careers include renewable engineering, law, journalism and media, leisure and tourism, environmental management and consultancy, business and financial services, urban planning, transport and logistics, marketing and advertising, the civil service, international development, charity sector and many more.
Subjects Geography links to, either at A level or at University
Business studies and economics often require a knowledge of the human and geopolitics side of geography.
Maths - A key feature in the new specification, with statistics and data analysis in the independent study.
English language and History - often similar mixes due to the style of written assessment.
Sciences – particular biology or environmental sciences fit in well with all the physical geography units as well as the human units on management of environments.
PE/Sports sciences – A love of sport often fits well with a love of the outside and students interested in sport often find physical geography topics interesting.
Travel and tourism – A future in the travel industry links well with all aspects of geography.
Law – Human rights and Health is studied in year 2, with many international laws and agreements studied throughout the course.
Politics – cross-curricular links with topics such as superpowers and globalisation. Similar exam questions and writing styles across both subjects.
If you would like more detailed information about the content of this course, please visit the Geography curriculum page, where you will find curriculum maps for each year of study.
