Qualification: A-Level
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Length of Course: 2 Years
Course Description
Students will undertake three units, outlined below:
Paper 1: Physical Geography
- Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards
- Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change – including optional sub-topic- 2B: Coastal Landscapes and Change
- Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
- Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
Paper 2: Human Geography
- Topic 3: Globalisation
- Topic 4: Shaping Places – including optional sub-topic- 4A Regenerating Places.
- Topic 7: Superpowers
- Topic 8: Global Development and Connections – including optional sub-topic- 8A Health, Human Rights and Intervention
Paper 3: Geographical Applications
The specification contains three synoptic themes within the compulsory content areas:
- Players
- Attitudes and actions
- Futures and uncertainties.
The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas.
Paper 4: Coursework
- Independent investigation
Assessment
- Unit 1 - (30% of GCSE Grade - 2hr 15mins examination)
- Unit 2 - (30% of GCSE Grade - 2hr 15mins examination)
- Unit 3 - (20% of GCSE Grade - 2hr 15mins examination)
- Unit 4 - (20% - No examination)
Education Possibilities After A-Level
The Russell Group of universities have identified Geography as a ‘facilitating subject’, highlighting its significance as an excellent academic subject which provides students with the core skills needed for further education. Geography graduates have one of the highest rates of graduate employment. Geography is a strong ‘facilitating’ subject at A-Level as it compliments both sciences and the arts.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Geography Grade 6. Well-developed literacy and numeracy skills are necessary to access parts of the course, a Grade 5 in both English and Maths is required.