Geography - A Level
A Level Geography is a two year course which provides you with a dynamic, contemporary and exciting opportunity to engage with the world around you.
A Level Course Content
Unit 1: Physical Systems (24% of A Level – 1 hour 45 minute Examination)
Landscape Systems: (Studied in Y12)
You will study ONE of the following; Coastal Landscapes, Glacial Landscapes or Drylands. You will focus on examining the following aspects:
- Factors affecting the land
- Landform Development
- The influence of Climate Change
- The Impact of Human Activity
In addition to this you will study the Earth’s Life Support Systems in Year 13 to include:
• Importance of water and carbon to life on earth
• Case studies of Tropical Rainforest and Arctic Tundra
• Change over time
• Links and interdependence between the cycles
Unit 2: Human Interactions (24% of A Level – 1 hour 45 minute Examination)
Changing Spaces; Making Places: (Studied in Y12)
- Two contrasting places at a local scale
- How place is understood and represented
- Economic Change and Social Inequality with players involved
- Place making processes in creating places
In addition to this you will study Global Connections in Year 13 to include:
An increasingly interconnected world with patterns, unequal flows, challenges and geopolitics, studied through:
• Global Systems: Option A – Trade in the contemporary world or Option B – Global Migration
• Global Governance: Option C – Human Rights or Option D – Power and Borders
Unit 3: Geographical Debates (32% of A Level – 2 hour 30 minute Examination)
This Unit contains five topics:
- Climate Change
- Disease Dilemmas
- Exploring Oceans
- Future of Food
- Hazardous Earth
You will study TWO of the Debates. There will be a mixture of short medium and extended response questions in this paper.
Unit 4: Investigative Geography (20% - Conducted during the Summer Term of Year 12)
Non-examined assessment, which is an independent geographical investigation conducted by you based on primary and secondary data.
Assessment
Students sit examinations in their A Level courses at the end of Year 13. All students will take internal end of year examinations at the end of year 12 to determine suitability to continue with the subject in Year 13. Students who do not meet the required pass grade in the Year 12 end of year examinations will not be permitted to progress into Year 13.
All units are assessed through examinations apart from Unit 4 which will be coursework assessed by your Teacher.
Fieldtrip
You will be expected to attend a residential fieldtrip as part of the course.