A-Level Geography

With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion, Geography is one of the most relevant subjects you could choose to study. A-Level students cover a broad scope of topic materials and gain vital insights into the world around us. Geography A-Level also equips students with a wide range of transferable skills including critical thinking, conducting primary and secondary research, analysis and interpretation of data, as well as developing confidence in teamwork and presentation.

WHAT IS A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY?

Geography is about understanding the Earth and our place upon it. It examines the characteristics of the natural environment and how human activities interact with physical processes.

Geographers deal vital issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, social issues and natural hazards.

WHY STUDY A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY?

More than 80 UK universities offer Geography-related degrees covering a wide range of topics and specialisms.

Geography graduates are some of the most employable, having developed knowledge and transferrable skills that enable them to work across a wide range of sectors and roles.

Typical Geography careers include Environmental Consultation, Cartography, Town Planning, Conservation, Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Teaching, Disaster Management, International Aid and Tourism.

WHAT WILL I STUDY IN A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY?

We follow the AQA specification (7037), comprising of two exams and one Non-Examined Assessment (NEA).

 

Written exams (each 2 hours 30 minutes):

Component 1 – Physical geography; Section A: Water and carbon cycles; Section B: Coastal systems and landscapes; Section C: Hazards.

Component 2 – Human geography; Section A: Global systems and global governance; Section B: Changing places; Section C: Contemporary urban environments.

Each exam is out of 120 marks and equates to 40% of the Geography A Level.

Exam questions are a mixture of types: short answer, levels of response and extended prose. Students will be required to answer all of the questions in some sections and will be required to choose from a selection of topics in other sections.

 

NEA:

Component 3 – Geography fieldwork investigation

Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content.

The NEA must be 3,000–4,000 words in length; it is out of 60 marks and equates to 20% of the Geography A Level. It is internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA.

GOOD SUBJECT COMBINATIONS TO TAKE WITH A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY

Geography is considered a rigorous, academic A-level by all leading universities and provides students with a breadth of knowledge and important skills for their future studies. Geography complements many other subjects, such as Economics, History, Biology, Physics and Politics.

A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY RESULTS AND DESTINATIONS

Year A* A*-A A*-B
2024 60% 60% 80%
2023 25% 25% 50%
2022 20% 20% 20%

Recent destinations of our A-Level Geography graduates include:

University of Oxford to study Earth Sciences

University of Edinburgh to study Social Anthropology

University College London to study Geography

City, University of London to study Business with Marketing