Entry Requirements

Geography/Humanities – Grade 6 English Language – Grade 5

Examination Board: Edexcel

Introduction/General Advice and Requirements

If you are interested in our changing world, studying Geography at A level could be for you.  This combination of looking at how people interact with the physical world means Geography is a popular choice at ‘A’ level, as it combines successfully with both arts and science subjects.

“There has never been a better or more important time to study geography. With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion, geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study. Geographers are also highly employable. Whatever your passion for the world – fascination with landscapes or concerns about inequality – geography will provide you with knowledge and transferable skills that will reward you personally and advance you professionally”. Dr Rita Gardner, Director of the RGS-IBG

Course Content & Assessment

Topic overview:

Year 12 Dynamic Landscapes

Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards

Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change

Option 2B Coastal Landscapes and Change

Year 12 Dynamic Places

Topic 3: Globalisation

Topic 4: Shaping Places – option 4A Regenerating Places

Year 13 Physical Systems and Sustainability

Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity

Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

Year 13 Human Systems and Geopolitics 

Topic 7: Superpowers

Topic 8: Global Development and Connections – 8A Health, Human Rights and Intervention

Assessment

Paper 1 Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 105 marks

Section A Area of study 1, Topic 1

Section B Area of study 1, Topic 2

Section C Area of study 3, Topic 5 and Topic 6

Paper 2 Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 105 marks

Section A relates to Topics 3 and 7:

Section B relates to Topic 4:

Section C relates to Topic 8:

Paper 3 (*Paper code: 9GE0/03)

Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes 20% of the qualification 70 marks

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.

Coursework: Independent Investigation (9GE0/04) Non-examined assessment 20% of the qualification 70 marks

The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated. A written report of 3000–4000 words.

• You will define a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification
• Your investigation will incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and own research and/or secondary data
• The fieldwork, which forms the focus and context of the individual investigation, may be either human, physical or integrated physical-human
• The investigation report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing
• You will be expected to show evidence that they have used both quantitative and qualitative data to support your independent investigation as appropriate to the particular environment and/or location.

You will be expected to participate in fieldwork activities as part of the course. This will be over 4 days and is likely to cost approximately £90.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Geography provides links to career in a range of areas including travel, tourism, leisure and culture, environment and sustainability, settlement, society, geographical techniques, physical systems, the business world, development and global issues.

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A Level Independent Learning