Page 34 - Seaford Sixth Forms Option 2025 Entry

Geography A Level (AQA)
Head of Department:
Mr D Willcox
Teaching Staff:
Mr J Kimber
Mr J Hart
Mrs J Simporis
Mr D Willcox
Mr G Mitchell
Mr K Doherty
Overview
Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice,
and combines well with both arts and science subjects. It can
be a facilitating subject – that is a subject most likely to be
required or preferred for entry to degree courses. Choosing
facilitating subjects will keep more options open at the
university level; Geography opens doors to other degrees such
as business and administrative studies, law, engineering and
technology and the other social physical sciences.
Course Content
Component 1: Physical
Geography
What’s assessed:
Section A: Water and carbon
cycles
Section B: either Hot desert
systems and landscapes
or Coastal systems and
landscapes or Glacial systems
and landscapes
Section C: either Hazards or
Ecosystems under stress
How it’s assessed:
•
Written exam: 2 hours 30
minutes
•
120 marks
•
40% of A Level Component
2: Human Geography
What’s assessed:
Section A: Global systems and
global governance
Section B: Changing places
Section C: either Contemporary
urban environments
or Population and the
environment or Resource
security
How it’s assessed:
•
Written exam: 2 hours 30
minutes
•
120 marks
•
40% of A Level Component
3: Geography fieldwork
investigation
What’s assessed:
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.
How it’s assessed:
•
•
3,000–4,000 words
60 marks
•
20% of A Level
•
marked by teachers
•
moderated by AQA
Students are expected to
undertake a compuslory week
of fieldwork in the Lake District
(subject to availability). This
trip is compulsory and has an
approximate cost of £400-500
TBC.
Expectations
Commitment and initiative
are expected from students
throughout. There is an
emphasis on research and
individual investigation work.
Students are expected to
produce written work on a
regular basis. Essay writing
skills are particularly important.
Future Pathway
Geography is a broad-based
subject which provides lots
of opportunities for future
progression. For example,
Geography is an obvious choice
for careers in sustainability and
green issues, urban regeneration,
energy supply, retail location,
managing the effects of hazards
and climate change. If you
are working towards a future
course in medicine or veterinary
medicine then Geography is
a good choice to give your A
Level options the breadth that
universities seek, as you will gain
a clear understanding of how the
environment affects health and
survival of people, animals and
ecosystems as well as enhancing
your skills of writing essays and
extended reports.
Key Skills
Map skills, fieldwork,
essay writing, analysis and
presentation skills are required
and developed throughout. IT
proficiency and self-directed
study are key skills for Geography.
You will also be undertaking a
4000 word assignment (NEA
coursework) so the ability to work
independently and carrying out
research and fieldwork on your
own is essential.
Recommended Entry
Requirements
Grade 6 Geography at GCSE
is recommended with a 6-6 in
Science.
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