A Level Geography

A rapidly changing world scene makes Geography a vital, dynamic and lively subject.

At A level you will study places, people, and the connections between them. To quote Danny Dorling: “Geography is the study of energy; how it builds mountains and then destroys them. It’s also the energy that flows through our atmosphere, bringing us our weather and changing our climate.”

About the Course

The course combines physical with human geography along with integrated fieldwork and an independent research project. Geographers investigate issues such as climate change, population growth and landscape degradation. Understanding the processes behind these changes means that you will gain the essential skills necessary to contribute to the management of these issues in the future. You will also develop skills in numeracy, literacy and how to use Geographical Information Systems..

Opportunities unique to this course

Geography provides a holistic approach to understanding the interconnections between the physical landscape and human activities. We consider how Earth’s physical processes have formed the planet and how humans have shaped and modified this environment. Conversely, we study how the Earth’s power and the activity of humans influences and shapes the modern world.

Human modules

Changing Places; Making Places, explores the relationships between people, the economy, and society and how these contribute to creating places.

Global Connections; Global Migration, and Power and Borders, explores how the processes and flows at a global level shape relationships between citizens, states and organisations.

Physical modules

Coastal Landscapes uses an integrated approach to Earth’s surface processes, landforms and the resultant landscapes.

Earth Life Support Systems explores how carbon and water are cycled between the land, oceans and atmosphere and how these are interrelated.

Combined modules

Exploring Oceans investigates the characteristics of oceans and how they interact upon life they support, the resources they provide and how these are managed.

Hazardous Earth investigates how earthquake and volcanoes creates hazards for human populations, assessing the risks and management of these hazards both spatially and over time.

Independent Investigation

Consists of three written exams and one non-exam assessment:

Paper 1: Physical systems (1hr 30mins, 22%)

Paper 2: Human interactions (1hr 30mins, 22%)

Paper 3: Geographical debates (2hr 30mins, 36%)

Non-examined assessment: Investigative geography (20%)

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

A level Geography opens up many pathways for further study and employment. Geography as a subject provides the cornerstone of related subjects, e.g. earth, environmental andsocial science degrees. The transferable skills geographers acquire also enhance employment opportunities.

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/geography