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Geography A Level

Dereham Sixth Form College

Crown Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4AG

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Social Sciences

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Dereham Sixth Form College
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
Block C

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Dereham Sixth Form College
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
Block E

Application Instructions

Please note that applications to the sixth form close on Wednesday 14th January 2026. If you wish to make an application after this date please contact the sixth form office at office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk or call 01362 696884.

For more information about a place at Dereham Sixth Form College for September 2026, please visit the website - www.dsfc.org.uk

Course Instructions

Most students will choose the equivalent of 3 A Levels but in some circumstances a maximum of 4. These are subjects that will continue for the full two years. Select only one subject from each option block (choosing more than 1 course from the same block will delay your application as courses from each block are timetabled at the same time). All courses are equivalent to 1 A Level except where specified differently below.

Dereham Education & Soccer Academy Including BTEC Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A Level subjects, no other subject choices required).

If your choice of subjects are not available due to limitations of the blocks, please email us with the details: office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk

Course Details

The Geography course develops an understanding of the interrelationships between people and their environments and of the opportunities, challenges and constraints that face people in different places and environments. You will further enhance the skills learned at GCSE level through a range of different teaching techniques and fieldwork.

Geography is sought after by employers and is seen by the top universities as an ‘enabling’ subject for entry into Higher Education. It combines well with many subjects such as Maths, History and the sciences. Occupations linked to geography are far-reaching covering many areas of interest. You will undertake a variety of local field trips to support learning in the classroom and develop your understanding and skills required for success in examinations and coursework. During the first year you will complete a coastal study in Norfolk and also take part in residential fieldwork based at the University of Aberystwyth, Wales. In the second year you will have the opportunity to visit London and undertake fieldwork in Norwich.

We will follow the new AQA specification, which is a linear, two-year course. The content of the course will be as follows:

Year One

The core topics cover both human and physical geography with an emphasis on developing a higher level understanding of how different processes fit together to produce unique landforms, places and processes. In each area of study you will learn models of movement from water and carbon to people and perceptions of people. You will assess the values and attitudes of decision makers, consider your own attitudes to the issues being studied and support your learning of ideas through the study of specific case studies.

Physical geography:

  • Coastal systems and landforms

Human Geography:

  • Changing places – People and the Environment
  • Population and the environment; natural hazards

During the last half term you will begin your independent investigation. A unique title must be chosen and developed. Most students will complete their fieldwork in Aberystwyth.

Year Two

In year two you will build on your knowledge from the first year to develop a deeper understanding of two of the world’s most pressing and dramatic phenomena.
Physical geography:

  • Water and carbon cycles

Human Geography:

  • Global systems and global governance

You will also complete your coursework investigation.

Assessment

You will sit two exams at the end of the course. Each paper will be 2 ½ hours long and will consist of short answer questions, extended prose for the first year units and essay writing for the second year units. You will also be required to submit your own coursework investigation, built around a central theme of the course. This is worth 20% of the A Level.

Entry requirements

Minimum 65444 including 6 in Geography and 5 in English Language or Literature GCSE.

Your next steps...

Destinations of some of our A Level Geography students:

Past students have gone on to study GeoPhysics; Volcanology; Geology; International Relations; Town Planning; Physical Geography; Human Geography; Teaching; Journalism; Accountancy.

Enrichment Opportunities:

Fieldwork is central to our course – a week at Aberystwyth University in Wales alongside visits to Sheringham/Cley, Norwich and London.


For more courses like this, check our courses page.