Geography
Geography at A Level excites students’ minds, challenges perceptions and develops investigative and analytical skills. It is highly recognised by universities and employers due to the wide range of transferable skills gained and the deepening understanding of worldwide contexts. Geography links the human and physical environments, helping students to understand the complex interactions and processes that shape our world.
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Year 12
In Year 12 students are introduced to changing physical and human landscapes. Component 1 focuses on coastal landscapes in physical geography and changing places in human geography, assessed by a 1 hour 45 minute written exam worth 82 marks (20.5% of the A Level).
Students begin to develop their understanding of global systems and governance, exploring water and carbon cycles and the ways people and places are interconnected. Learning takes place through maps, GIS, data analysis, fieldwork, investigations and extended writing.
Year 13
In Year 13 students build on this foundation through Component 2: Global Systems and Global Governance, which includes water and carbon cycles, global governance and 21st century challenges. This is assessed by a 2 hour written exam worth 110 marks (27.5% of the A Level).
They also study Component 3: Contemporary Themes in Geography, including tectonic hazards and two optional themes such as ecosystems, economic growth and challenge, development in an African context, energy challenges or weather and climate. This is assessed by a 2 hour 15 minute written exam worth 128 marks (32% of the A Level). Alongside this, students complete Component 4, an Independent Investigation (NEA) of 3,000–4,000 words based on fieldwork data, worth 60 marks (20% of the A Level).
Assessment Components
Component 1
Component 2
Assessment combines three written examination papers on physical and human geography with an NEA independent investigation based on fieldwork, rewarding both conceptual understanding and practical investigative skills.
Opportunities
Geography is a facilitating subject and opens doors to a wide range of degrees such as geography, business and administrative studies, law, engineering, technology and other social and physical sciences.
A geography degree can lead to careers as an environmental consultant, landscape architect, town planner, market researcher or international aid and development worker, among many others. Students also benefit from fieldwork opportunities, including a residential trip to Blencathra in the Lake District (with a student contribution towards the cost).
Entrance Requirements
Essential Grade 5 in Geography.
Geography (A-Level)
Geography at A Level excites students’ minds, challenges perceptions and develops investigative and analytical skills. It is highly regarded by universities and employers because of the transferable skills it provides and the deep understanding of global contexts it promotes. Students learn to link human and physical environments and to understand the complex processes that shape the world, using maps, GIS, data analysis, fieldwork and extended writing.
Year 12
Students study Component 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes, including coastal landscapes and changing places, assessed by a 1 hour 45 minute written exam worth 82 marks (20.5% of the A Level). They also begin work on global systems and governance.
Year 13
Students complete Component 2: Global Systems and Global Governance, covering water and carbon cycles, global governance and 21st century challenges, assessed by a 2 hour exam worth 110 marks (27.5% of the A Level). They also study Component 3: Contemporary Themes in Geography, including tectonic hazards and two optional themes, assessed by a 2 hour 15 minute exam worth 128 marks (32% of the A Level).
Component 4 is an NEA Independent Investigation of 3,000–4,000 words based on fieldwork data, worth 60 marks (20% of the A Level) and marked by teachers then moderated externally. Fieldwork includes a residential trip to Blencathra in the Lake District.
Assessment Components
Written examinations account for 80% of the A Level.
The NEA Independent Investigation accounts for 20% of the A Level.
Opportunities
Geography is a facilitating subject and supports progression to degrees in geography, business and administrative studies, law, engineering, technology and the social and physical sciences. Career paths include environmental consultancy, landscape architecture, town planning, market research and international development work.
Entrance Requirements
Essential: Grade 5 in Geography.