Geography

Exam Board: AQA

Aims

The aims of the course are as follows:

  • To excite students’ minds, challenge perceptions and stimulate their investigative and analytical skills.
  • Understand the role of decision makers in the physical and human environments

Entry Requirements

Students should have Grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and Mathematics, or the equivalent grade/mark in their national system of secondary education. It is recommended that students have Grade 6 or above in GCSE Geography.

Course Structure

Year 1

  • Water and Carbon Cycles
  • Coastal Systems
  • Global Systems and Global Governance
  • Geographical Skills

Year 2

  • Geography Fieldwork Investigation
  • Changing Places
  • Contemporary Urban Environments
  • Hazards

Assessment

  • Component 1 – Physical Geography: Written exam of 2 hours (40 % of final grade).
  • Component 2 – Human Geography: Written exam of 2 hours 30 minutes (40% of final grade).
  • Component 3 – Geography Fieldwork Investigation: 4,000 words (20% of final grade).
  • Question types: Short answer, levels of response and extended prose.

Core Text

A/AS Level Geography for AQA Student Book by Ann Bowen, Andy Day, Victoria Ellis, Paul Hunt, Rebecca Kitchen, Claire Kyndt, Garrett Nagle, Alan Parkinson, Nicola Walshe, Helen Young.

Careers and Opportunities

Geography combines well with both arts and science subjects as it is a broad-based subject that really fits well for future progression at university and beyond. It leads to a variety of careers in sustainability, urban regeneration, retail location, managing the effects of hazards and climate change. Careers in law, human rights, politics and welfare benefit from studying aspects of Geography, such as ‘Global Development’ and ‘Migration, Identity and Sovereignty’ for instance. Other career options include cartography, surveying, teaching and landscape architecture.

Important Announcement

Richard Lewis and Alistair Wardell were appointed as joint administrators of Padworth College Limited on 30 June 2025.

In the days prior to our appointment the directors had notified parents, guardians, agents and staff that the school was ceasing to trade.

If you are a creditor, you will shortly receive formal notification from the Joint Administrators of their appointment with details of how to claim the amounts you are owed. Please let us know if you have not heard from us by 18 July 2025.

If you have any queries, please send them via email to cmusupport@uk.gt.com.

The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability. Richard Lewis and Alistair Wardell are authorised by the Insolvency Practitioners Association to act as insolvency practitioners.