Available start dates
Available start dates
Course Summary
A Level Geography
Exam Board; Edexcel
Geography is concerned with the study of places, human and physical processes which shape them and the people that live in them. In this sense the subject is uniquely placed to incorporate a number of other disciplines both of a scientific and sociological nature. There are very few issues and themes that don’t have a spatial dimension.
The study of geography stimulates an interest in, and a sense of wonder about, places and helps make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world. It explains how places and landscapes are formed, how people and environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies and societies are interconnected. It builds on pupils’ own experiences to investigate at all scales from the personal to the global.
Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, for the present and future. Fieldwork is an essential element of this. Pupils learn to think spatially, using maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems, to obtain, present and analyse information. Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.
Course Details
How will it be delivered and assessed?
Paper 1;
Written examination: 2 hours - 30% of the qualification
Assessment overview
An externally-assessed written examination comprising four sections. Students answer all questions in Section A (Tectonic Processes and Hazards), Section C (The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity) and Section D (The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security). Students answer Question 2 (Glaciated Landscapes and Change)
and Change) in Section B.
Paper 2;
Written examination: 2 hours - 30% of the qualification
Assessment overview
An externally-assessed written examination comprising four sections. Students answer all questions in Section A (Globalisation) and Section C (Superpowers). Students answer one question from Section B (Regenerating Places and Diverse Places) and one question from Section D (Health, Human Rights and Intervention)
Paper 3
Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes - 20% of the qualification
Assessment overview
An externally-assessed written examination comprising three sections. A resource booklet will contain information about the geographical issue. Students draw synoptically on knowledge and understanding from compulsory content drawn from different parts of the course.
Coursework: Independent Investigation
Non-examined assessment
20% of the qualification
The student defines a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the Specification.
Assessment overview
● The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated.
● The student will produce a written report of 3000–4000 words.
Entry requirements
In order to take this course we recommend that students achieve a Grade 5 or above in Geography and English Language or Literature at GCSE.
Your next steps...
Geography has one of the highest graduate employment rates of any non-specialist degree and can lead to careers such as accountancy, teaching, governmental & civil service jobs, transport sector jobs, jobs in business and many more!
Geography is compatible with ALL other A level subjects. It combines with the Arts, Social Sciences, Languages and Sciences.
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