Welcome to Geography

Geography is a fascinating and contemporary subject. The exciting new Geography A-level course allows you to engage critically with real world issues and places. The subject gives you an understanding of the world’s changing priorities, places and environments. You’ll study relevant topics and global issues which include tectonic hazards, globalisation, superpowers and water conflicts.

The Geography A-level will give you an understanding of other people and cultures, and will allow you to develop your own, informed views about social, political and environmental issues. Geography is one of the core facilitating subjects, meaning that studying Geography will help to keep your options open when it comes to choosing a degree or career. Many of the UK’s top universities will ask that you have studied at least one A-level in a facilitating subject when you apply.

Fieldwork

Your A-level learning will be complemented by field trips throughout the course. In Year 12, you will complete a two-day residential along the east coast, along with two days of urban fieldwork in Leeds. There is also an amazing opportunity to visit Mount Etna as part of a 5-day residential on the island of Sicily.

Assessment

The Geography A-level is comprised of four assessments, three of which are written examinations, and one is a piece of coursework.

• Paper 1: Assessment of Dynamic Landscapes, Physical Systems & Sustainability
  This is a written exam, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. This exam is worth 30% of the course certification.
• Paper 2: Assessment of Dynamic Places, Human Systems and Geopolitics
  This is a written exam, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. This exam is worth 30% of the course certification.
• Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation of a Contemporary Geographical Issue
  This is a written exam, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. This exam is worth 20% of the course certification.
• Coursework
  This is a coursework assignment. Students will complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue developed by the student, in relation to any part of the specification.
  This coursework piece is worth 20% of the course certification.

Career & Progression Opportunities

According to the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), geography graduates are amongst the least likely to be unemployed. More than 90% of are in work or further study within six months of graduating. Geography graduates are seen as highly employable due to their combination of transferrable skills, including problem-solving and critical thinking.

Statistics from the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey show that recent geography graduates are taking up graduate roles that may appear more loosely related to geography, with nearly one-fifth of graduates finding work in business, finance and human resources, with more than 10% finding careers in marketing, public relations and sales.

Entry Requirements

If you’d like to study Geography, you’ll need at least a Grade 5 in Geography, plus 4 other GCSE qualifications at a Grade 5 or above.

If you have’t studied Geography before, then the Head of Department will have the final say on your suitability for the course. If in doubt, please contact the school.

If you’d like to, you can download this information as a PDF file. Download the Geography course information sheet (opens in a new tab) →