Course overview and specification

Study Topics

Year 12 Physical Geography:  Students begin by studying ‘Tectonics’ which includes tectonic processes, hazards and their impacts. Followed by ‘Coasts’ which is about coastal landscapes, change and their management.  

Year 12 Human Geography: Students start with ‘Globalisation’, a unit that looks at the causes and impact of our ever-increasing global world. Followed by the topic ‘Shaping Places: Regenerating Places’ which investigates how places in the UK change and the regeneration of places.  

Year 13 Physical Geography: The first unit focuses on ‘Water’ and includes the physical processes of the water cycle and the issue of water insecurity and solutions. The second unit ‘Carbon’ begins with studying the carbon cycle and then the issue of energy security. This unit includes a focus on climate change. Both units consider sustainability as a key theme.  

Year 13 Human Geography: Beginning with the unit ‘Superpowers’, this exciting unit considers who are the most powerful countries and organisations in the world, why they are powerful, their impacts and conflict. The second unit is about ‘Development’ and explores issues of heath, human rights as well as political and military interventions.    

All topics include a wide range of case study examples from all continents around the world. Some key examples include Bangladesh, China, Croatia, Haiti, North Korea, the UK, the USA and the Arctic to name just a few.   

Non-examination assessment:  

Students complete an independent investigation on their choice of topic chosen from the specification. The coursework will be between 3000-4000 words long and is submitted before examinations. Students are supported in this process through lessons and fieldtrips, but independent work is required.  

Fieldwork  

Learning outside of the classroom is an important part of Geography. To develop knowledge studied in the classroom and to assist in data collection for the NEA, students must complete 4 days of fieldwork as part of the A-Level course. Two of the days will focus on physical geography and two on human geography. The location of the trips vary, but always include a day exploring Sheffield including Park Hill and Ecclesall Road and a day visiting the Holderness Coast.  

Assessment

Exams 

Paper 1: 2 hours and 15 minutes - All Physical Geography topics – 30% of final grade 

Paper 2: 2 hours and 15 minutes - All Human Geography topics – 30% of final grade 

Paper 3: 2 hours and 15 minutes – A synoptic exam which covers geographical skills and content from the course in a place-based example - 20% of final grade 

Independent Investigation: This 3000–4000-word investigation is internally assessed and externally moderated – 20% of final grade 

Where could it lead to?  

There has never been a more important time to study Geography. By studying Geography, you develop your understanding of the world. Geography explores how the world works and how humans interact with it.  

The Royal Geographical Society states that Geography has one of the highest employability rates and includes careers in urban and rural planning, tourism, police, environmental planning, flood and river management, charities and international organisations, geographical information systems, research with universities or organisations, response to natural disasters and politics. The field of jobs in sustainability, renewable energy and climate change is a fast-growing area of work.  

Previous A-Level Geography students have progressed to university courses in architecture, business, medicine and sociology in additional to courses in geography and environmental studies. We currently have students studying Geography who are aspiring to work in Psychology and the Armed Forces. This demonstrates the transferable skills and content developed through the study of A-Level Geography.