A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY
A Level - Geography
- Provides opportunities through fieldwork, for first hand investigation of places, environments and human behaviour
- Builds a knowledge and understanding of current events from local to global
- Develops skills for the future, including literacy, numeracy, ICT, problem-solving, team work, thinking skills and enquiry
- Helps recognise the challenges of sustainability and the implications of sustainability for our lives and the lives of others
- Values your views when making decisions about difficult issues
Recommended GCSE Subjects and Grades
Geography A* - B
English A* - B
Maths A* - C
However, it is possible for students to enrol without any prior learning or attainment in Geography.
Other Contributory Subjects
Biology, Chemistry, History, Maths, Politics, Sociology, etc Geography has links with all of the subjects studied in school.
Subject Content
AS Geography
AS Unit AS 1: Physical Geography
This unit is concerned with physical processes and systems and human interaction with them. Students investigate fluvial environments, local and global ecosystems, and the processes that shape weather and climate. They study physical processes and environments at a range of scales and in a range of places. They have opportunities to use a range of technologies including GIS to enhance knowledge and understanding. The three compulsory units of study are: The Fluvial Environment (Rivers) Ecosystems Atmosphere & Weather Unit
AS 2: Human Geography This unit has three themes covering key aspects of human geography. Students investigate how different human systems and relationships across our world change over space and through time. Students explore a range of places, at a variety of scales. The three compulsory units of study are: Population Settlement Development
Unit AS 3: Fieldwork Skills and Techniques in Geography In this unit students become actively involved in first-hand collecting of geographical data through fieldwork. Students identify geographical questions and issues, select appropriate sources and methods and establish effective approaches to inquiry in their geographical studies. Section A – Geographical Skills Section B - Fieldwork
A2 Geography
A2 Course
Unit A2 1: Physical Processes, Landforms and Management
In this unit students choose two options from the four available. Assessment for this unit is a written examination with four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options listed below. Each part has two structured questions.
Option A: Plate Tectonics: Theory and Outcomes
Plate tectonics: margins and landforms
Volcanic activity and its management
Seismic activity and its management
Option B: Tropical Ecosystems: Nature and Sustainability
Locations and climates of major tropical biomes
Management and sustainability in arid/semi-arid tropical ecosystems
Management and sustainability in the tropical forest environment
Option C: Dynamic Coastal Environments
Option D: Climate Change: Past and Present
External written examination—1 hour 30 minutes
The paper has four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options and includes two structured questions. Students answer two questions, one from each of their two chosen options. 24% of A level
Unit A2 2: Processes and Issues in Human Geography
In this unit students choose two options from the four available. Assessment for this unit is a written examination with four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options listed below. Each part has two structured questions.
Option A: Cultural Geography
Option B: Planning for Sustainable Settlements
Option C: Ethnic Diversity
The definition of Ethnicity
The processes that create and maintain ethnic diversity
Ethnic conflict
Option D: Tourism
The changing nature of tourism
Challenges and management of mass tourism
Ecotourism: opportunities, challenges and regulation
External written examination—1 hour 30 minutes
The paper has four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options and includes two structured questions. Students answer two questions, one from each of their two chosen options. 24% of A level
Unit A2 3: Decision Making in Geography
This unit enables students to develop decision-making skills in a real world scenario. They identify and analyse appropriate material, examine conflicting values and make and justify recommendations
External written examination — 1 hour 30 minutes
This is a compulsory decision-making exercise in the form of a case
Method of Assessment
AS 1: Physical Geography
External written examination 1 hour 15 minutes
Section A: Students answer three short structured questions, one on each theme.
Section B: There are three questions requiring extended writing, one on each theme. Students answer any two questions.
40% of AS
16% of A Level
AS 2: Human Geography
External written examination 1 hour 15 minutes
Section A: Students answer three short structured questions, one on each theme.
Section B: There are three questions requiring extended writing, one on each theme. Students answer any two questions.
40% of AS
16% of A Level
AS 3: Fieldwork Skills and Techniques in Geography
External written examination
1 hour Students must bring a table of data and a summary statement to the examination covering the aims and context for their fieldwork.
There are two compulsory, structured questions.
For Question 1 students may be required to present, analyse, interpret and evaluate their fieldwork data and the techniques they used to collect it.
For Question 2 students respond to quantitative and qualitative data from secondary sources.
20% of AS
8% of A level
A2 1: Physical Processes, Landforms and Management
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes
The paper has four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options and includes two structured questions. Students answer two questions, one from each of their two chosen options.
24% of A level
A2 2: Processes and Issues in Human Geography
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes
The paper has four parts. Each part corresponds to one of the four options and includes two structured questions. Students answer two questions, one from each of their two chosen options.
24% of A level
A2 3: Decision Making in Geography
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes
This is a compulsory decision-making exercise in the form of a case study.
12% of A Level
Career Possibilities
Aid worker, air traffic controller, archaeologist, architect, cartographer, census data specialist, civil engineer, conservationist, diplomat, estate agent, environment consultant, environmental health officer, financial adviser, flood protection manager, foreign correspondent , geologist, geophysicist, GIS specialist, graphic designer, holiday rep, hotel manager, human resources officer, human rights officer, hydrologist, journalist, landscaper, marketing, media, meteorologist, peacekeeper, pharmacist, physiotherapy, planner, pollution analyst, public policy research, risk assessor, refugee and asylum adviser, social worker, speech therapy, surveyor, teacher, tourist information officer, transport manager, translator, travel agent, United Nations Terrorism Prevention Officer, urban planner for sustainable projects, urban regeneration officer, weather presenter And many, many more.
Other Information
An interest in people, places and issues at local, national and global level is a benefit to studying A Level Geography. Geography has recently been reclassified as 'part-STEM' by HEFCE, acknowledging the STEM nature of Physical Geography.
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