Exam Board: AQA Specification 2031
Unit Summary of content
This course provides a flexible, issue-centred study of environmental processes and issues which are relevant to the 21st century. A level Geography has links to many other A level subjects, including Science subjects (especially Biology), Economics, Government and Politics and History, and helps to develop skills of understanding, analysis, interpretation and communication. It is also highly regarded by top universities and employers.
A level Geographers from Padworth College have gone on to study subjects as diverse as:
Land Economy at Cambridge University
European Studies at Kings College London
Politics and International Relations at Southampton University
and others.
Geographers are well placed to find employment in sectors as diverse as Government administration; The Environment Agency, Law, the European Union, Transport, Education and Research.
Course requirements
5 or more good passes at GCSE/IGCSE (or overseas equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics. GCSE Geography is NOT a requirement, though it provides a useful background. Essay-writing and note-taking are major study techniques at AS and A level, so candidates must have a competent level of English to progress on the course.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an essential component of A level Geography studies, as experiencing phenomena in the field helps to reinforce information taught in the classroom. Candidates also develop skills of observation, recording, data collection and analysis- valuable transferable skills. AS fieldwork includes visiting the world famous Jurassic Coast in Dorset, to observe coastal landforms and to evaluate the impact of tourism. At A2, fieldwork involves a week-long residential visit to Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire in west Wales. This visit is run in conjunction with the Biology department, and Ecosystems are studied which are a major component of both subjects. The following websites give further information about the areas visited:
http://www.jurassiccoast.com/
http://www.field-studies-council.org/dalefort/
Course Structure
Unit 1 (AS year)
Physical and Human Geography
The study of core geographical concepts along with contrasting themes of contemporary or environmental impact, management and sustainability. Candidates must study the core and then select one of the physical options and one of the human options.
Core physical section:
Rivers, floods and management
Core human section:
Population change
Optional physical topics:
Cold environments
Coastal environments
Optional human topics:
Food supply issues
Energy issues
Unit 2 (AS year)
Geographical Skills
A geographical skills paper based on the content of Unit 1.
Skills include: investigative, cartographic, graphical, ICT and statistical skills.
Unit 3 (A2 year)
Contemporary Geographical Issues
An issues-based approach to contemporary geographical themes. Candidates must select three topics: at least one from the physical options and at least one from the human options.
Optional physical topics:
Plate tectonics and associated hazards
Ecosystems: change and challenge
Optional Human topics:
Development and globalisation
Contemporary conflicts and challenges
Unit 4A (A2 year)
Geographical Issue Evaluation
This unit gives candidates the opportunity to use their skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. An advance information booklet is pre-released 2 months prior to the exam to facilitate candidates’ research into an area which extends from the specification content.