Geography

Exam Board - Edexcel

Course Content

The A-level course covers a wide range of contemporary themes and issues. It incorporates learning about fundamental geographical processes and environments which enable students to understand the world around us today, as well as what could impact the future.

Year 12 course

There are two compulsory topics that look at some of the issues which face us all:

Dynamic Landscapes

Topic 1 - Tectonic Processes and Hazards

This includes an introduction to tectonic processes, a study of the causes of tectonic hazards, the impact of seismic activity on people, and responses to tectonic hazards.

Topic 2 - Landscape Systems, Processes and Change

This is a study of the coastal landscape system and the physical and human processes influencing change over time and space

Physical geography fieldwork

Dynamic Places

Topic 3 - Globalisation

This is a study of globalisation, its causes and consequences for different people and places

Topic 4 - Shaping Places

This is a study of Regenerating Places looking at how and why places have changed and how this impacts on people

Human geography fieldwork

Year 13 Course

This builds upon the 4 topics above and includes further topics of:

Physical Systems and Sustainability

The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity and The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

Human Systems and Geopolitics

Superpowers and Global Development and Connections

A-level Independent Investigation

Methods of Assessment

The syllabus aims to assess students on their knowledge and understanding of geographical ideas, theories and issues and on their use of a variety of skills and techniques. Assessment within the department will be varied to include evaluation of written assignments, oral presentations, application of number, problem-solving exercises and cartographic skills. All units are assessed through written examinations at the end of the course.

In Year 13 candidates take the following units:

A Level Examinations
Area of Study	Topic	Exam Style	Exam
Study 1	Topic 1 Tectonic Processes and Hazards	Paper 1: The examination may include short open open response resource-linked questions. The examination includes 12-mark and 20-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used.	30% of the total Qualification Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes 105 marks available
Study 1	Topic 2 Landscape systems and Change – Coastal Landscapes
Study 3	Topic 5 The Water Cycle and Water insecurity
Study 3	Topic 6 The Carbon Cycle and Energy Insecurity

Study 2

Topic 3

Globalisation

Paper 2:

The examination may include

short open
open response
resource-linked questions.

The examination includes 12-mark and 20-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used.

30% of the

total

Qualification

Duration:

2 hours and 15

minutes

105 marks

available

Study 2

Topic 4

Shaping Places –

Regenerating Places

Study 4

Topic 7

Superpowers

Study 4

Topic 8

Global Development and Connections – Health, Human Rights and Intervention

Study 1, 2,

3 and 4

Decision Making Paper taken from any of the compulsory Topics - 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7

Paper 3:

An externally-assessed written examination. A resource booklet will contain information about the geographical issue. All questions in the examination draw synoptically on knowledge and understanding from compulsory content drawn from different parts of the course.

The examination may include

short open
open response
resource-linked questions.

The examination includes 8-mark, 18-mark and 24-mark extended writing questions.

Calculators may be used.

20% of

the total

qualification

Duration: 2 hours

and 15 minutes

70 marks available

Study 1, 2,

3 and 4

The student defines a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification

Non-examination assessment: Independent investigation. The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and own research and/or secondary data

● The fieldwork, which forms the focus and context of the individual investigation, may be either human, physical or integrated physical-human

● The investigation report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing

● Students will be expected to show evidence that they have used both quantitative and qualitative data to support their independent investigation as appropriate to the particular environment and/or location.