DEPARTMENT	COURSE NAME	COURSE LEADER	EXAM BOARD	QUALIFICATION
Humanities	Geography	Miss Batten	Edexcel	A level

Introduction

In order to be successful at A level Geography you need to have a real interest in the world around you; from natural disasters to geopolitics.  The A level course is intellectually stimulating and challenging.

Course Entry Requirements

Due to the nature of the new and more rigorous A level course, students are required to have gained a grade 6 or above in GCSE Geography.  Students will also need to have secured a grade 6 in English Language and Science and 5 in Maths in order to access the course.  Students may take the course without having sat GCSE Geography, but they must make clear their desire to pick a new subject. 

Course Aims

The A level will cover the main themes of modern day Geography in a changing world, with a balance between the physical, human and environmental aspects of the subject.  As a department, we feel that in a world that is changing so rapidly, Geography is the key to understanding and preparing you for these changes.  In A level Geography you will have the chance to develop vital lifelong skills including teamwork, enquiry, investigation, extended writing, map work, statistical analysis, decision making and presentation skills.  There is a compulsory fieldwork (and associated coursework project) element which can cover either human or physical Geography.

Course Content and Assessment

Paper 1	Tectonic Processes and Hazards (Year 12) Landscape Processes and Change: Coastal Landscape and Change (Year 12) The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity (Year 13) The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security (Year 13)	2 hours 15 minutes 105 marks   30% of A level
Paper 2	Globalisation (Year 12) Shaping Places: Regenerating Places (Year 12) Superpowers (Year 13) Global Development and Connections: Health, Human Rights and Intervention (Year 13)	2 hours 15 minutes 105 marks   30% of A level
Paper 3	Synoptic Investigation of a contemporary Geographical issue (studied throughout Year 12 and 13) Related to the three synoptic themes of players, attitudes and actions and futures and uncertainties	2 hours 15 minutes 70 marks   20% of A level
NEA (Coursework)	3000-4000 word independent fieldwork investigation Completed throughout Year 12 and early Year 13 Internally assessed and externally moderated	20% of A level

Progression and Careers

Geography opens up an amazing breadth of career opportunities and students wishing to use their geographical skills in careers have gone on to extremely varied fields ranging from careers in the armed forces, engineering, journalism, conservation, law, environmental consultancy, meteorology, landscaping, local government, teaching, lecturing and surveying to name but a few!  Geography bridges the arts and sciences and is seen as a ‘facilitating subject’ by universities.

Exam Board

Edexcel

Contact Names

For further information, please see Miss Batten – Head of Geography.