Full name of specification
A Level Geography
Exam board specification link
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037
Name of textbook if used
Oxford AQA Geography, Physical and Human
Why study this course?
There has never been a better or more important time to study A level Geography. Dealing with vital issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, social issues and natural hazards, A level Geography is one of the most relevant subjects you could choose to study. Students enjoy the scope of the material they cover in geography, the insights it can provide into the world around us and the highly contemporary nature of the issues it tackles.
What can you expect from this course?
The A level Geography course is split into human and physical geography even though geography is a very fluid subject with some of the issues overlapping. Human topics such as urbanisation and globalisation are very good for generating debate and allowing students to apply their knowledge to a worldwide context.
Physical geography looks at topics such a natural hazards and look at how hazards occur, what can be done to predict them and the management that is in place if one occurs. Students often find this side of the subject more interesting, but more challenging due to unfamiliarity of the content.
How is it assessed?
2 exam papers and a 5000 word study
What are the entry requirements?
Grade 7 at GCSE
What can I do after completing this qualification?
Geography will help you develop your communication and teamwork skills, as you’ll often work on group projects. You’ll also develop your research and analysis skills including in IT, lab and fieldwork, which means you will be able to collect and look for patterns in data.
Employers love the mix of technical and social skills people get from studying geography, which they see as very transferable, i.e. useful for a whole range of jobs.
Geography is great for any kind of career that involves the environment, planning, or collecting and interpreting data. Popular careers for people with geography qualifications include: town or transport planning, surveying, conservation, sustainability, waste and water management, environmental planning, tourism, and weather forecasting.
What will I study? (include unit numbers and names)
Physical geography
1. Water and carbon cycles
2. Hot desert systems and landscapes
3. Coastal systems and landscapes
4. Glacial systems and landscapes
5. Hazards
6. Ecosystems under stress
Human geography
7. Global systems and global governance
8. Changing places
9. Contemporary urban environments
10. Population and the environment
11. Resource security
Geography fieldwork investigation
12. Fieldwork requirements
13. Investigation requirements
Geographical skills
14. Geographical skills checklist
Additional activities within this subject
Field Work – 5000 word study
Wider Reading list
National Geographic Magazine
https://www.geography.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/Get%20involved/Reading_List_1_Human_Geography.pdf
Useful links or Apps
BBC iPlayer for Documentaries
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/revision/geography/useful-geography-websites
You may also enjoy studying
Biology, Chemistry, History, Sciences
Teachers
Mr Storey