Key details
- Course areas
- A LevelsHumanities and Social Sciences
- Student types
- 16 - 18 coursesA Levels
- Course type
-
A Level course
- Course level
-
Level 3
- Start date
- Tuesday 1st September 2026
- Location
- High Pavement Sixth Form Chaucer Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LP
- Course code
- Parent course code:C000450 Child course code: Q000517
Course introduction
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.
You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.
Read moreCourse information
2 years
AQA A Level Geography
To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English Language at grade 5 or above and Maths at grade 4 or above
To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English Language and Maths
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 two years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year one to progress to your second 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
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.
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.
Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.
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Video gallery
Careers related to this course
Select career:
Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers and Consultants
Potential Earnings
£43,276.46
Average Earnings
£24,826.99
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Pathways
Architecture and Planning
People in these occupations design construction projects, prepare technical drawings and blueprints, survey land, and plan land use.
Skills
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
