Course Content
A Level Geography will develop your knowledge of locations, places, processes and environments, at all geographical scales from local to global. You will analyse the complexity of people–environment interactions and appreciate how these underpin understanding of some of the key issues facing the world today. You will develop as critical and reflective learners, be able to articulate opinions, suggest relevant new ideas and provide evidenced arguments.
Component 1: Physical Geography
- Water and carbon cycles
- Coastal systems and landscapes
- Hazards
Component 2: Human Geography
- Global systems and global governance
- Changing places
- Contemporary Urban Environments
Component 3: Fieldwork Investigation
Candidates independently plan, analyse and evaluate their chosen investigation.
| Component | Assessment | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Physical Geography | Written exam | 2h 30m | 40% |
| 2: Human Geography | Written exam | 2h 30m | 40% |
| 3: Fieldwork Investigation | Fieldwork investigation | 3000-4000 words | 20% |
Year 12
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Focus and Topic
- Coastal Systems and Landscapes
Core Knowledge
- The coastal system
- Coastal processes
- Coastal landforms
- Sea level change
- Coastal management
- Case study – coastal environment
- Case study – humans at the coast
Core Skills
- AQA A-Level Geography demands a high level of geographical skill, going far beyond GCSE. You’ll need to excel in:
- Enquiry and Investigation: This is key for your independent coursework (NEA) and involves everything from forming questions and collecting data (both in the field and from secondary sources) to analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating your findings.
- Advanced Cartographic and Graphical Skills: Expect to interpret and create complex maps (including OS maps, specialist thematic maps, and those involving GIS) and a wide array of sophisticated graphs and charts.
- Statistical and ICT Proficiency: You’ll use advanced statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank and Chi-squared) and leverage technology for data handling, analysis, and presentation, including understanding “big data” and remote sensing.
- Critical Thinking with Data: This means not just using data, but also critically evaluating its sources, methodologies, and potential biases, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. You’ll also need to consider ethical implications.Strong Communication: Expect to construct clear, well-structured, and evidence-based arguments in extended writing, integrating all your geographical knowledge and skills.
Assessment
- Coastal Systems and Landscapes
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Focus and Topic
- Coastal Systems and Landscapes
Core Knowledge
- The coastal system
- Coastal processes
- Coastal landforms
- Sea level change
- Coastal management
- Case study – coastal environment
- Case study – humans at the coast
Core Skills
- AQA A-Level Geography demands a high level of geographical skill, going far beyond GCSE. You’ll need to excel in:
- Enquiry and Investigation: This is key for your independent coursework (NEA) and involves everything from forming questions and collecting data (both in the field and from secondary sources) to analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating your findings.
- Advanced Cartographic and Graphical Skills: Expect to interpret and create complex maps (including OS maps, specialist thematic maps, and those involving GIS) and a wide array of sophisticated graphs and charts.
- Statistical and ICT Proficiency: You’ll use advanced statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank and Chi-squared) and leverage technology for data handling, analysis, and presentation, including understanding “big data” and remote sensing.
- Critical Thinking with Data: This means not just using data, but also critically evaluating its sources, methodologies, and potential biases, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. You’ll also need to consider ethical implications.Strong Communication: Expect to construct clear, well-structured, and evidence-based arguments in extended writing, integrating all your geographical knowledge and skills.
Assessment
- Coastal Systems and Landscapes
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Focus and Topic
- Changing Places
Core Knowledge
- Concept of place
- Character of places
- Shifting flows
- Meanings of place
- Representations of place
- Places studies
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- Summative Assessment 2 – Changing Places
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Focus and Topic
- Hazards
Core Knowledge
- Natural hazards
- Plate tectonics
- Types of plate margin
- Volcanic hazards and impacts & responses
- Seismic hazards and impacts & responses
- Storm hazards (case studies)
- Wildfires
- Case study – Multi-hazard environment
- Case study – hazardous setting
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- N/A
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Focus and Topic
- Global Systems and
- Global Governance
Core Knowledge
- Globalisation
- Factors affecting
- globalisation
- Global systems
- International trade
- Case study – global coffee trade
- Transnational corporations (TNCs)
- Global governance
- The global commons
- Case study of global commons – Antarctica
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- Year 12 summer mock:
- Hazards
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Focus and Topic
- Global Systems and
- Global Governance
Core Knowledge
- Globalisation
- Factors affecting
- globalisation
- Global systems
- International trade
- Case study – global coffee trade
- Transnational corporations (TNCs)
- Global governance
- The global commons
- Case study of global commons – Antarctica
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- Year 12 summer mock:
- Hazards
Year 13
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Half Term 1 (Sept-Nov)
Focus and Topic
- Water & Carbon Cycle
Core Knowledge
- Natural systems
- The water cycle
- Drainage basins
- Variations in runoff
- The carbon cycle
- Water, carbon & climate
- Case study – Amazon rainforest
- Case study – Eden basin
Core Skills
- AQA A-Level Geography demands a high level of geographical skill, going far beyond GCSE. You’ll need to excel in:
- Enquiry and Investigation: This is key for your independent coursework (NEA) and involves everything from forming questions and collecting data (both in the field and from secondary sources) to analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating your findings.
- Advanced Cartographic and Graphical Skills: Expect to interpret and create complex maps (including OS maps, specialist thematic maps, and those involving GIS) and a wide array of sophisticated graphs and charts.
- Statistical and ICT Proficiency: You’ll use advanced statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank and Chi-squared) and leverage technology for data handling, analysis, and presentation, including understanding “big data” and remote sensing.
- Critical Thinking with Data: This means not just using data, but also critically evaluating its sources, methodologies, and potential biases, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. You’ll also need to consider ethical implications.Strong Communication: Expect to construct clear, well-structured, and evidence-based arguments in extended writing, integrating all your geographical knowledge and skills.
Assessment
- Year 13 winter mock:
- Global Systems and
- Global Governance
Half Term 2 (Nov – Dec)
Focus and Topic
- Water & Carbon Cycle
Core Knowledge
- Natural systems
- The water cycle
- Drainage basins
- Variations in runoff
- The carbon cycle
- Water, carbon & climate
- Case study – Amazon rainforest
- Case study – Eden basin
Core Skills
- AQA A-Level Geography demands a high level of geographical skill, going far beyond GCSE. You’ll need to excel in:
- Enquiry and Investigation: This is key for your independent coursework (NEA) and involves everything from forming questions and collecting data (both in the field and from secondary sources) to analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating your findings.
- Advanced Cartographic and Graphical Skills: Expect to interpret and create complex maps (including OS maps, specialist thematic maps, and those involving GIS) and a wide array of sophisticated graphs and charts.
- Statistical and ICT Proficiency: You’ll use advanced statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank and Chi-squared) and leverage technology for data handling, analysis, and presentation, including understanding “big data” and remote sensing.
- Critical Thinking with Data: This means not just using data, but also critically evaluating its sources, methodologies, and potential biases, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. You’ll also need to consider ethical implications.Strong Communication: Expect to construct clear, well-structured, and evidence-based arguments in extended writing, integrating all your geographical knowledge and skills.
Assessment
- Year 13 winter mock:
- Global Systems and
- Global Governance
Half Term 3 (Jan – Feb)
Focus and Topic
- Water & Carbon Cycle
Core Knowledge
- Natural systems
- The water cycle
- Drainage basins
- Variations in runoff
- The carbon cycle
- Water, carbon & climate
- Case study – Amazon rainforest
- Case study – Eden basin
Core Skills
- AQA A-Level Geography demands a high level of geographical skill, going far beyond GCSE. You’ll need to excel in:
- Enquiry and Investigation: This is key for your independent coursework (NEA) and involves everything from forming questions and collecting data (both in the field and from secondary sources) to analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating your findings.
- Advanced Cartographic and Graphical Skills: Expect to interpret and create complex maps (including OS maps, specialist thematic maps, and those involving GIS) and a wide array of sophisticated graphs and charts.
- Statistical and ICT Proficiency: You’ll use advanced statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank and Chi-squared) and leverage technology for data handling, analysis, and presentation, including understanding “big data” and remote sensing.
- Critical Thinking with Data: This means not just using data, but also critically evaluating its sources, methodologies, and potential biases, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. You’ll also need to consider ethical implications.Strong Communication: Expect to construct clear, well-structured, and evidence-based arguments in extended writing, integrating all your geographical knowledge and skills.
Assessment
- Year 13 winter mock:
- Global Systems and
- Global Governance
Half Term 4 (Feb – March)
Focus and Topic
- Water & Carbon Cycle
Core Knowledge
- Natural systems
- The water cycle
- Drainage basins
- Variations in runoff
- The carbon cycle
- Water, carbon & climate
- Case study – Amazon rainforest
- Case study – Eden basin
Core Skills
- AQA A-Level Geography demands a high level of geographical skill, going far beyond GCSE. You’ll need to excel in:
- Enquiry and Investigation: This is key for your independent coursework (NEA) and involves everything from forming questions and collecting data (both in the field and from secondary sources) to analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating your findings.
- Advanced Cartographic and Graphical Skills: Expect to interpret and create complex maps (including OS maps, specialist thematic maps, and those involving GIS) and a wide array of sophisticated graphs and charts.
- Statistical and ICT Proficiency: You’ll use advanced statistical tests (like Spearman’s Rank and Chi-squared) and leverage technology for data handling, analysis, and presentation, including understanding “big data” and remote sensing.
- Critical Thinking with Data: This means not just using data, but also critically evaluating its sources, methodologies, and potential biases, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. You’ll also need to consider ethical implications.Strong Communication: Expect to construct clear, well-structured, and evidence-based arguments in extended writing, integrating all your geographical knowledge and skills.
Assessment
- Year 13 winter mock:
- Global Systems and
- Global Governance
Half Term 5 (April – May)
Focus and Topic
- Contemporary Urban Environments
Core Knowledge
- Urbanisation
- Urban:
- Change, forms, issues, climate, air quality, drainage, waste & environmental issues
- Sustainable urban development
- Case study – eg Mumbai
- Case study – eg Birmingham
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- Summative assessment 3
Half Term 6 (May – July)
Focus and Topic
- Contemporary Urban Environments
Core Knowledge
- Urbanisation
- Urban:
- Change, forms, issues, climate, air quality, drainage, waste & environmental issues
- Sustainable urban development
- Case study – eg Mumbai
- Case study – eg Birmingham
Core Skills
- N/A
Assessment
- Summative assessment 3
*Students will be required to carry out fieldwork (during Year 12 Term 6) and complete the NEA (fieldwork) enquiry in Year 13 Term 5.
Key Info
- Start Date: September 2026
- Awarding Body: AQA
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Course Length: 2 Years
Entry Requirements
TBC
Complementary Subjects
Studying Geography at GCSE will help you with other GCSE and A-level subjects like History, English Literature, and Sociology.
Career Opportunities
Geography provides strong research and analytical skills, which are highly regarded by many employers. Areas you could go into include: Cartography, environmental consultancy, town planning, conservation, landscape architecture, geographical information systems, and even teaching!