Geography (A Level)

Edexcel A-Level Geography

Geography is important in understanding the changing nature of our world looking at the humans and physical processes and the interaction between them. This course is excellent for anyone who is interested in pursuing a wide range of jobs as the world needs geographers to support a greater understanding of the world and what may impact its future.

This A level course takes an issues-based approach enabling students to explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions and issues such as the consequences of globalisation, responses to hazards, water insecurity and climate change. You will develop both your quantitative and qualitative skills as well as enabling synoptic evaluation of issues in greater depth such as Health, Human Rights and globalisation. Fieldwork is a compulsory part of the course as it is essential that Geographers examine real life situations and make judgements on the data that they have collected. Students will undertake four fieldwork days, some of which will take place in a compulsory residential field trip. 

Entry Requirements: Entry requirements are aligned with the entry requirements of Haggerston Sixth form. Students will need a grade 5+ in Geography

Career opportunities: Geography graduates are highly sought after and according to the Royal Geographical Society, those who study the subject have some of the highest rates of employment. Studying A level Geography can lead to careers in many different fields such as surveying, conservation, sustainability, town or transport planning, waste and water management, environmental

planning, tourism, and weather forecasting. The army, government, research organisations, law and business world also recognise the practical research skills that geographers develop. Many geography students go on to work in law.

What will I study? The course is divided into 8 units with three key themes running throughout. The players and and their attitudes and actions and the future and uncertainties regarding the possible actions that can be taken. Students will be developing their abilities to critically evaluate these aspects. 

In Year 12 the topics covered are: 

  • Tectonic Processes and Hazards
  • Landscape Systems, Processes and Change (Coastal areas)
  • Globalisation
  • Shaping places – Regeneration 

Year 13: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity

  • The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
  • Superpowers
  • Global Development and Connections – Health, Human Rights and Intervention

Assessment overview: Three papers sat at the end of the course. 

Paper 1: Physical geography (Coasts, hazards, water & carbon cycle) 2hr 15 mins 30% 

Paper 2: Human geography (globalisation, diverse places, super powers, health and human rights) 2hr 15 mins 30% 

Paper 3: Synoptic issues based analysis based on a geographical issue within a place-based context. 2hr 15 mins 20% 

NEA: Independent investigation. The student defines a question or issue for investigation, collects fieldwork data and the report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing. 20%

What kind of enrichment opportunities are there? Access to the RGS speaker and A level events. Our own humanities enrichment speaker programme. Local and national fieldwork trips both day and residential. 

Homework /Independent Study Policy: Essays, regular flipped learning and personal study, revision for knowledge tests.

By | 2023-09-21T12:01:04+00:00 March 3rd, 2021|