GEOGRAPHY (EDEXCEL)

A Level Course Outline

"Geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating diversity of cultures and in the end, it's about using that knowledge to bridge divides and bring people together." Barrack Obama

What will I study in Geography?

In studying geography, you will investigate the links between people and their environment on both local and international scales and connect diverse issues in politics, economics and science to the landscape to give an understanding of how places are shaped.

Your geography course will cover both physical and human environments. It will show how human intervention affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects on their environment.

You will learn a variety of skills including: reading maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data analysis and statistics. You will be encouraged to discuss ideas and frame your own questions using higher level thinking skills and show your grasp of complex issues through report and essay writing.

Fieldwork is an essential part of your A Level course. You will attend a residential fieldwork trip to experience a different environment to the one where you live. This will also form the basis of your Non- Examined Assessment (NEA) undertaken independently and worth twenty per cent of your grade.

What Careers Can Geography Lead To?

Geography is a broad based subject, which provides lots of opportunities. It is an obvious choice for careers in sustainability and green issues. However, it has a much wider reach and is applicable to careers in business, politics and economics through an understanding of global economics, as well as Law and Human Rights, as geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as migration. In addition, many scientists study geography as it gives you the breadth that universities seek, as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays and investigation.

Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice. The Russell Group named geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. The Guardian has also identified geography as the 'must-have A Level'. 

GEOGRAPHY (EDEXCEL) A Level Specification

Paper number	Content overview
Paper 1 Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 105 marks	The Physical Environment Tectonic Processes and Hazards Coastal Landscapes and Change The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
Paper 2 Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 105 marks	The Human Environment Globalisation Regenerating Places Superpowers Migration, Identity and Sovereignty
Paper 3 Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes 20% of the qualification 70 marks	Synoptic Section The specification contains three synoptic themes Players Attitudes and actions Futures and uncertainties. The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes.
NEA (Non Examined Assessment) Written report of 4000 words. 20% of the qualification 70 marks	Coursework The student defines a question or issue for investigation, relating to an aspect of the specification The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data, research and secondary data The investigation report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing Students will be expected to show evidence that they have used both quantitative and qualitative data to support their independent investigation as appropriate to the particular environment and/or location.

Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 6 x 50 minute lessons per week. Homework will be set regularly and deadlines must be adhered to. Fieldwork investigations will take place at weekends or during half terms where possible and students are expected to attend.

Course Textbook Geography for Edexcel A Level Year 2 Student Book ISBN: 978-0-19-836648-5

Further Reading
A subscription to the Geography Review magazine is recommended as well as taking an interest in current affairs through regular reading of reliable news whether in print or online, the Economist and New Scientist magazines. This will help to build case studies and wider knowledge. Tim Marshall's book 'Prisoners of Geography' also provides a good overview of geopolitics.