What will I gain from doing this course




Aims/Objectives

























What will I do

This subject is the study of contemporary geography studying the relationship of human populations to each other over space and time and their relationship with their environment from the local to global scale.

AS and A Level specifications in Geography should encourage students to:
• develop and apply their understanding of geographical concepts and processes to understand and interpret our changing world
• develop their awareness of the complexity of interactions within and between societies, economies, cultures and environments at scales from local to global
• develop as global citizens who recognise the challenges of sustainability and the implications for their own and others’ lives
• improve as critical and reflective learners aware of the importance of attitudes and values, including their own
• become adept in the use and application of skills and new technologies through their geographical studies both in and outside the classroom
• be inspired by the world around them, and gain enjoyment and satisfaction from their geographical studies and understand their relevance.

The specifications should reflect new ideas and developments about the changing nature of geography in the 21st century and its relevance for everyday life.
AS and A Level specifications in Geography should require students to:
• develop knowledge and understanding of selected physical, human and environmental processes that underpin key geographical concepts
• develop a knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of place, space, diversity, interdependence, people – environment interaction, the processes associated with these, and change over time
• study at a range of scales and understand the importance of scale as a geographical idea
• use a range of skills and techniques, including the use of maps and images at different scales, necessary for geographical study
• carry out research and out-of-classroom work including fieldwork, as appropriate to the topics selected
• use modern information technologies, including geographical information systems, as appropriate to the content.
• develop understanding of the application and relevance of geography.

In addition, for A2 the specification requires students to:
• undertake individual research/investigative work, including fieldwork
• extend their understanding of geographical ideas, concepts and processes
• identify and analyse the connections between the different aspects of geography
• analyse and synthesise geographical information in a variety of forms and from a range of sources
• consider new ideas and developments about the changing nature of geography in the 21st century
• critically reflect on and evaluate the potential and limitations of approaches and methods used both in and outside the classroom

Unit 1 exam – Structured short and extended questions; 2 hour paper (70% of AS and 35% of A2). Candidates are required to develop the application of a variety of geographical skills as an integral part of Unit 1 and apply these to the content of the unit.

Unit 2 exam – Structured skills and generic fieldwork questions (30% of AS marks 15% of A Level marks) -1 hour

Unit 3 exam – Structured short and extended questions and an essay (30% of total A Level marks) – 2 hours 30 minutes.

Unit 4A exam – Structured short and extended questions based on the candidate’s own fieldwork investigation (20% of the total A Level marks) - 1½ hours OR Unit 4B exam – structured short and extended questions based on the Advance Information Booklet (20% of the total A Level marks) - 1½ hours.

Unit 1- two core topics (rivers and population), plus two optional topics (health and cold environments).

Unit 2 - candidates are required to develop the application of a variety of geographical skills as an integral part of the two core topics in unit 1 and be able to answer generic fieldwork questions based on the department fieldtrip.

Unit 3 – four topics, two human and two physical (development and globalisation, world cities, tectonics and ecosystems).

Unit 4 – Geography fieldwork investigation, based on pre-release information.

Teacher led; independent study; enquiry; discussions; group work; fieldwork.
Learning will focus on knowledge, understanding and skills (GIS), as well as explore synoptic links across Geography and other related subjects (IT, Economics, Science)

Geography room or other classrooms; library; room A; IT rooms.

Teacher support every lesson.


Please contact Mrs Whan at whan.n@we-learn.com