Overview
Geography bridges arts and sciences, with links between Biology, History, Economics and English. What makes up the world around us and how does it affect us? Students explore dynamic landscapes and places, physical systems and sustainability, human systems and geopolitics.
Key Facts
- 5 April 2021 (Brighton only)
- 6 September 2021
- 3 January 2022
- Bournemouth
- Brighton
- London
- Oxford
- Academic: Completed 10 years of schooling (GCSE or equivalent)
- English: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
- 2 Academic Years (3 terms)
- We also offer entry from Year 12
- Average 7 hours per week for each A-level subject (plus homework and private study)
Learning outcomes
- Gain UK national university entrance qualification
- Raise English to university level
- Develop study skills required at degree level
- Develop specialist subject expertise
Course content and structure
The following syllabus outline is based on Cambridge exam board content. Please note that exam boards may vary from college to college.
Physical Core
Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
- The drainage basin system and rainfall
- River channel processes and landforms
- The human impact
- Local and global energy budgets
- Weather processes and phenomena
- The human impact
- Elementary plate tectonics
- Weathering and rocks
- Slope processes and development
- The human impact
Physical Options
- Tropical climates
- Tropical ecosystems
- Tropical landforms
- Sustainable management of tropical environments
- Wave, marine and sub-aerial processes
- Cliffed and constructive coasts
- Coral reefs
- Sustainable management of coasts
- Resulting from tectonic movement
- Resulting from mass movements
- Resulting from atmospheric disturbances
Arid and semi-arid environments
- Distribution and climatic characteristics
- Processes producing desert landforms
- Soils and vegetation
- Sustainable management
Human Core
- Population change
- Demographic transition
- Population resource relationships
- The management of natural increase
- Migration and population change
- Internal migration
- International migration
- Changes in rural settlements
- Urban trends and issues of urbanisation
- Urban trends and issues of urbanisation
- The management of urban settlements
Human Options
Production, location and change
- Agricultural systems and food production
- The management of agricultural change
- Manufacturing / related service industry
- The management of industrial change
- Sustainable energy supplies
- The management of energy supply
- Environmental degradation
- The management of a degraded environment
- Trade flows and trading patterns
- Debt and aid and their management
- The development of international tourism
- The management of a tourist destination
- National development
- The globalisation of industrial activity
- Regional development
- The management of development
Typical A-level subject combinations with Geography
- Geography, Maths and Economics
- Geography, Politics and History
- Geography, Politics and Economics
Sample enrichment activities
- Dorset Coast field trip
- Houses of Parliament trip
- Bletchley Park visit
- Victoria and Albert museum
- Current Affairs and News Club
Sample academic calendar (2021-2022)
Year 1
- 6th: term starts
- Student induction
- 18 – 22nd: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs and talks
- 10th: term ends
- End of term exams
- 10th – 11th: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs
- End of term exams
- 18th: term ends
Year 2
- 17th – 21st: half term
- 15th October: UCAS deadline (Medicine)
- Progress tests
- University fairs and talks
- 9th: term ends
- End of term exams
- 2nd: term starts
- 15th January: UCAS deadline (other subjects)
- 9th – 10th: half term
- Progress tests
- 17th: term ends
- Mock exams
- 3rd: term starts
- Progress tests
Recommended reading
Below is a list of books which may help you prepare for your studies prior to arrival. Please note that additional books, and online resources such as websites and journals will be shared once you begin your course.
- Nagle, G and Guinness, P Cambridge International A and AS Level Geography International A and AS Level Geography Hodder Education, 2011
- Burtenshaw, D Economy and Development Philip Allan Updates, 2006
- Carr M New Patterns, Process and Change in Human Geography Nelson Thornes, 1999
- Cook, I Hordern, B McGahan, H Ritson, P, Geography in Focus Causeway Press, 2000
- Dicken, P Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy, Sage Publications, 2010
- Gillett, M & J Physical Environment: A Case Study Approach Hodder and Stoughton, 2003
- Guinness, P and Nagle, G Advanced Geography: Concepts and Cases Hodder and Stoughton, 1999 Hart C Geography for AS, Cambridge University Press, 2000
- Heelas, R Tropical Environments: Contrasting Regimes and Challenges Nelson Thornes, 2001
- Holmes, D Ecosystems and Biodiversity Holmes, D Ecosystems and Biodiversity Philip Allan Updates, 2006
- Hordern, B. Rivers & Coasts Phillip Allan Updates, 2006
Degree progression
Many students who do Geography at A-level use their qualification to do a degree in Geography or a related subject. Besides teaching, A-level geography is required for a number of careers, including research, science-based careers and environmental based careers.
Having a Geography A-level can be advantageous when applying for jobs in a variety of sectors, including environment and sustainability, physical systems, society, business, geographical techniques, development and global issues, settlement and travel, tourism, leisure and culture.
Example degree courses which require or accept Geography A-level include:
- Archaeology
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Geography
- Geology
- International Relations
- International Development
- Leisure and Tourism
- Oceanography
- Politics
Sample alumni progression
- Geography/Economics/Maths
- LSE (Government with Economics)
- Geography/Politics/Economics
- King’s College London (Politics)
- Geography/Economics/Maths
- University of York (Economics)
- Geography/Economics/Maths/Further Maths
- UCL (Maths with Economics)
- Geography/Economics/Maths
- Durham University (Marketing)
