A-Level
Careers related to studying Geography:
Nationally, Geography is a popular subject and most students are attracted to study it because of the variety the course offers. You will cover a range of topics and come across many issues related to what is going on around you – migration, urban problems, natural hazards, freak weather occurrences, flooding and volcanoes / earthquakes.
You could consider careers in: management, administration, leisure, travel & tourism, education, professional and social services, business, finance, information services and scientific services.
Course content:
The new A Level Geography course provides all students with a dynamic, contemporary and exciting opportunity to engage in the world around them.
The two year, linear course is divided into four areas: Dynamic Landscapes, Dynamic Places, Physical Systems and Sustainability and Independent Investigation.
Entry requirements:
We expect students to have previously studied GCSE Geography and achieved a grade 6. Grade 5 students are also often considered.
Subject specific events:
As with GCSE Geography, the completion of fieldwork is essential to studying this subject. It allows you to experience the subject first hand and develop skills beyond the confines of the classroom.
During the course, four days of fieldwork is completed, i.e. an investigation of the Sefton Coast.
In addition to this A-Level Geography students will have the opportunity to take part in a residential fieldtrip –either the Bay of Naples in Italy or Iceland.
Methods of study:
Students have five lessons each week, divided between two subject specialists. Teaching groups tend to be between eight and sixteen in number, and the course is taught through variety of teaching and learning strategies.
Students will complete a variety of tasks which will include discussion (small group and whole class), some formal note taking, investigation and research activities. As with Key Stage 4, students will develop their examination technique throughout the course though past question class and homework activities.
Students are expected to complete approximately 5 hours of independent study outside of normal lesson time at A-Level. This could include: reading, research, extended writing or other activities. For students to take full advantage of the course it is also recommended that students complete wider reading around the subject. There is an extensive e-library of relevant articles on the Geography College Shared Area.
Methods of assessment:
Paper 1 Dynamic Landscapes (30%)
Topics include Tectonic Processes and Hazards, Coastal Landscapes and Change, The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security and The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity.
Paper 2 Dynamic Places (30%)
Topics include Globalisation, Regenerating Places, Superpowers and Health, Human Rights and Intervention.
Paper 3 Synoptic paper
investigates the cross-curricular links between the topics covered in Paper 1 and 2.
Paper 3 (coursework) Independent investigation
An investigative report into an individual topic that can be related to any topic within the syllabus and should be approximately 3, 000 – 4,000 words.