A Level: Geography

Course title: Advanced GCE in Geography

Exam board: AQA

Subject specific entry criteria: Grade 7 in GCSE Geography

Course overview

Physical Geography

  • Water and carbon cycles
  • Glacial systems and landscapes
  • Hazards

Human Geography

  • Global systems and global governance
  • Changing places
  • Population and the environment

Geographical Fieldwork Investigation

  • 3,000-4,000 word investigation on a topic of choice linked to the course

Assessment overview

Physical Geography

  • 120 marks (40% of total A Level)
  • 2 hours 30 minutes written paper

Human Geography

  • 120 marks (40% of total A Level)
  • 2 hours 30 minutes written paper

Geographical Fieldwork Investigation

  • 60 marks (20% of total A Level)
  • 3,000–4,000 words

Future progression

All Russell Group universities offer a pure Geography degree or one combined with other subjects. Minimum entry grades are typically AAB, but other universities may differ.

Potential careers

Possible careers linked to having a Geography degree include:

  • Town Planner
  • Cartographer
  • GIS Specialist
  • Climatologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Meteorologist
  • Sustainability Planner
  • Surveyor
  • Teacher
  • Marketing

…and many more!

How to succeed in Geography

You will:

  • have a genuine interest in all aspects of geography-related issues
  • be willing to read around the subject through a variety of sources
  • keep up to date with current affairs
  • be resilient and resourceful
  • have good thinking skills and mathematical understanding