GCE A Level in Geography

This course is for students who want to continue studying geography after GCSE. You'll already be familiar with some of the topics, but the A level will give you the chance to study these and some new ones, in much greater depth. It's for you if you are interested in current global issues like climate change, migration and environmental degradation. You might be choosing geography because you're headed for a career in a geography related occupation though it will give you a set of skills that can be used in a whole variety of careers. For some geography related careers, it's good to have studied geography in combination with subjects like maths, chemistry, physics or biology.

Grade 6 in GCSE Geography or a related humanities subject.

You'll learn through formal teaching in the classroom including case studies, lectures, presentations, discussions, films, individual and group project work and debates. You will be expected to undertake private study including research, revision and homework tasks. There will be field trips and visits, geography careers and higher education talks.

Assessment is through final examination at the end of the course. There are 2 examination papers one each for physical and human geography components each of 2 hours 30 minutes duration. Examinations will be made up of a variety of question styles including: multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response and extended prose. These make up 80% of your overall grade. The remaining 20% is assessed via a 4,000-word teacher marked fieldwork investigation study.

A Level geography will give you an excellent set of transferable skills including the ability to collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, conduct research, employ statistical methods and ICT skills. You could move on to to university to study a geography or environmental science related degree. There are opportunities to go directly into technician level employment or an apprenticeship in areas such as conservation, waste or energy management.