DEPARTMENT	COURSE NAME	COURSE LEADER	EXAM BOARD	QUALIFICATION
Humanities	Geography	Mr Ryan	Edexcel	A level

Course Requirements

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 new A level course is intellectually stimulating but challenging.

Due to the nature of the new and more rigorous A level course, we require students to have gained a 6 (B) or above in GCSE Geography.  Students will also need to have secured a grade 6 (B) in English Language and Science and 5 (C) 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 new 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 team work, 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

Paper 1:

• Tectonic Processes and Hazards
• Landscape Processes and Change; one option from: Glacial Landscape and Change or Coastal Landscape and Change
• The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
• The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

Paper 2:

• Globalisation
• Shaping Places; one option from: Regenerating Places or Diverse Places
• Superpowers
• Global Development and Connections; one option from: Health, Human Rights and Intervention or Migration, Identity and Sovereignty.

Paper 3:

• Synoptic Investigation of a contemporary Geographical issue.

Coursework: Non-Examined Assessment

• 3000-4000 Independent Fieldwork Investigation

Exams/Assessment

Paper 1 (30%)

Paper 2 (30%)

Paper 3 (20%)

Non-Examined Assessment (20%)

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!!

Exam Board

Edexcel

Contact Names

For further information, please see Mr Ryan - Head of Geography.