Geography A Level

Geography gives you the opportunity to learn about how the human and physical processes of our ever-changing world work. You will investigate topical global issues and develop a broad range of skills.

There has never been a more relevant time to study geography, as barely a day passes without news linking geographic themes: climate change, housing shortages, water conflict, energy security and international political agreements. Geographers have a vital role to play in managing the major global challenges of the future.

During this A Level course students will get to grips with major themes in geography including tectonic processes, globalisation, landscape systems, the water and carbon cycles, climate change and global development.

Field work is an important and exciting part of the geography syllabus, allowing you to develop real world skills and analytical techniques that can be applied in future research, study or employment.

There are 8 topics in the A-Level course and a fieldwork project.

(1) Tectonic processes and hazards

(2) Landscape systems, processes and change

(3) The water cycle and water insecurity

(4) The carbon cycle and energy insecurity

(5) Globalisation

(6) Shaping places

(7) Superpowers

(8) Global development and connections

These are examined in 3 papers at the end of the second year.

The fieldwork component is 20% of the course and involves conducting your own fieldwork investigation

5 GCSEs Level 9-4, Level 5 in relevant subject area.

If you are doing GCSE Geography you need to get a Grade 5+.

If you are not doing GCSE Geography then you need to get a Grade 5+ in English Language or English Literature Higher Tier.

People who study Geography build up a range of transferable skills in writing, numeracy, critical source analysis, debating and balancing conflicting viewpoints The subject supports the study of other A-Level subjects well and can lead to degree courses in Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, as well as other humanities and sciences.