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A Level Geography

Course outline

Geography encourages students to understand their own lives in an increasingly globalised world and to understand vital, complex and inter-related issues such as global systems and governance, natural hazards and their impact on people, and changing places.

The course focuses upon the Earth as a dynamic place where physical, environmental and human processes interact to produce a constantly changing world. Students will over the two-year course have the opportunity to develop their own attitudes and values related to the study of a range of complex issues facing society. An interest in these issues, current affairs and an enquiring mind are essential for this course.

“The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.” Barack Obama

Topics include:
  • Water and carbon cycles
  • Hazards
  • Coastal systems and landscapes
  • Global systems and global governance
  • Changing places
  • Contemporary urban environments.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

How to enrol onto this course

It is no longer possible to apply to join the course this academic year.

You will be able to apply online for 2024/25 soon.

Want to find out more first?

Get in touch by hitting the button below and filling out our enquiry form.

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Qualification

A Level Geography
Duration

A Level: 2 years
Level Level 3
Entry requirements
  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-6 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above
  • One of your GCSEs must be a Grade 5 or above in GCSE Geography. We will accept a Grade 6 in GCSE Physics, Chemistry or Biology in place of GCSE Geography if studied as separate science qualifications.

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.
Teaching & assessment

We study the AQA specification. Assessment at A level comprises a range of styles including short answers, data manipulation and extended prose. Students will be examined in two exams (80%) and a Geographical investigation (20%). Fieldwork is an essential part of the course with four days in the field a compulsory part of this two-year programme. There will be a cost involved in this.

Progression

Students studying Geography at A level will acquire an array of skills including graphicacy, cartography, literacy and numeracy.

This academic robustness makes them desirable employees and university applicants, with Geography being a facilitating subject for a number of respected universities.

Geographers work in many industries including leisure, planning, the environment, GIS and IT and hazard management.
Additional information

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.