Events
Meadowhead Sixth Form Open Evening
November 11, 2026
5pm- 7pm
Available start dates
Available start dates
Wednesday, 01 September 2027
Meadowhead
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
Course Summary
Overview: Pearson Edexcel GCE A Level Geography | Qualification code: 9GE0
Understand the world, develop your skills and help shape the future.
Geography is the subject that connects people, places, economies and the natural environment. From climate change and natural hazards to globalisation, inequality and urban regeneration, it helps students understand the biggest challenges facing the world — and explores how they can be addressed.
The study of geography stimulates an interest in, and a sense of wonder about places. It helps make sense of our complex and dynamically changing world, explaining 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, with fieldwork an essential element of this. Pupils learn to think spatially, using maps, visual images and new technologies, including GIS, 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 people, the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.
Course Details
Paper 1 — Dynamic Landscapes - Physical geography
• Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards — plate tectonics, volcanic activity, earthquakes, hazard impacts, vulnerability, resilience and disaster management.
• Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change — the processes shaping landscapes, with a focus on glaciated landscapes.
• Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity — the water cycle, water stores and flows, water security and sustainable water management.
• Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security — carbon stores and flows, the carbon budget, climate change, energy security and sustainable energy choices
Paper 2 — Dynamic Places - Human geography
• Topic 3: Globalisation — global connections, trade, migration, global production, cultural change and the consequences of an interconnected world.
• Topic 4: Shaping Places — opic 4: Shaping Places time, with a focus on regenerating places.
• Topic 7: Superpowers — the economic, political and cultural influence of global powers and changing geopolitical relationships.
• Topic 8: Global Development and Connections — Health, Human Rights and Intervention
Paper 3 — Synoptic Investigation - People and the environment
Students bring together knowledge from across the course to investigate a contemporary geographical issue in a place-based context.
Paper 4 — Independent Investigation (NEA) - Independent research
Students undertake their own geographical investigation, choosing a question or issue linked to the specification. This is assessed as a written report of 3000–4000 words. The investigation includes:
• Developing a focused research question
• Collecting primary fieldwork data and using appropriate secondary sources.
• Analysing and presenting qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Drawing conclusions, evaluating methods and reflecting on limitations.
Fieldwork:
A level requires a minimum of 4 days of fieldwork to be undertaken in relation to the physical and human geography units studied. Students will undertake 2 days in the local area and take part in a residential trip to the Cranedale centre in North Yorkshire.
There will also be an optional Iceland trip offered, that will take place every two years.
How will it be delivered and assessed?
Assessment Format Weighting
Paper 1: Dynamic Landscapes Written examination — 2 hours 15 minutes 30%
Paper 2: Dynamic Places Written examination — 2 hours 15 minutes 30%
Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation Written examination — 2 hours 15 minutes 20%
Independent Investigation (NEA) Fieldwork-based written report 4000 words 20%
Entry requirements
In order to take this course, we recommend that students achieve a Grade 5 or above in Geography and English Language or English Literature at GCSE
Your next steps...
Studying Edexcel A Level Geography develops:
• Critical thinking
• Data literacy
• Research
• Digital and spatial skills
• Communication
• Independent learning
• Decision-making
Geography does not lead to just one career. Its breadth allows students to pursue many different pathways. It is classed as a facilitating subject and therefore opens up a myriad of options for further study, whether that be further study of geography related fields or wider university courses.
Examples of how geography can support a range of courses is demonstrated below:
University degrees Geography, Environmental Science, Geology, Earth Sciences, Planning, International Development, Human Geography and Physical Geography
Business & economics Business Management, Economics, Logistics, Supply Chain Management and Market Research
Environment & sustainability Sustainability, Climate Science, Environmental Consultancy, Conservation and Renewable Energy
Cities & infrastructure Urban Planning, Transport Planning, Housing, Regeneration and Civil Engineering
Society & global affairs Politics, International Relations, Development Studies, Human Rights and Public Policy
Digital & data careers GIS, Geospatial Analysis, Mapping, Remote Sensing and Location Intelligence
Public services &education Teaching, Local Government, Emergency Planning, Civil Service and Environmental Policy
University is not the only option. Geography can also support progression into apprenticeships and employment in areas such as geospatial technology, environmental management, planning, surveying and public services. The combination of subject knowledge, practical research and transferable skills gives students a foundation they can build on in several directions.
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!
A Level Geography combines science, social science, research and real-world problem-solving, making it an excellent choice for students who want to keep their future options open. This makes the subject uniquely positioned to be compatible with ALL other A level subjects.
For more courses like this, check our courses page.
