A and AS Level Geography
Studying Geography will allow you to explore some of the critical issues facing the world today. You will delve into sustainability, climate change, the effects of urbanisation on rural areas, and environmental degradation. Alongside new knowledge, you will develop analytical and technical skills that have real-world applications and will stand you in good stead, whatever path you choose in your future; whether that be apprenticeship, university, or straight into the workplace!
A and AS Level Geography will build on skills learnt and practised at GCSE, and widen your knowledge base considerably. Students will significantly expand their experience of Human and Physical Geography, with topics such as: water and carbon cycles; hot desert, glacial, or coastal systems; landscapes; hazardous or stressed ecosystems; global systems/governance; changing places; and contemporary urban environments, population, or resource security.
If you’re taking Geography at A Level, it’s probable that you see yourself in a scientific field for a career in the future. Geography is a fascinating but also a very useful and valued subject for career progression in the fields of surveying, planning and development, housing, social researcher, and also architecture, conservation, risk analysis, transport and tourism.
Unlike GCSE, you will get to take part in practical fieldwork, where you will complete an individual investigation that will include data collected in the field. The individual investigation will be based on a question or issue defined and developed by you, relating to any part of the specification content, so you really get to choose an investigation that interests and excites you.
Whilst there’s a fair amount of content to study and learn, the actual grade is awarded based on just three assessment objectives (AOs):
- AO1 – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
- AO2 – Apply that knowledge to different contexts to interpret and analyse
- AO3 – Fieldwork and data skills
The above skills are more or less the same as GCSE. So, other than learning some new content, all that needs to be done is deepen and develop the skills to a level suitable for A level.
At Barts, you will be set plenty of past paper practice questions to help prepare you for your examinations. These are typically sat during Supervised Study which takes place in our exam room, and is invigilated by our Examinations Officer. Past papers are invaluable to become familiar with the structure and style of each paper, as well as practising under timed conditions. Mock exams run in the Spring term and are compulsory for all students. This gives our tutor the opportunity to find any gaps in the students’ knowledge, and helps to direct the focus of revision in the run up to exams.
Especially at A Level, we rely on the expert knowledge and experience of our tutors, many of whom have been teaching at Barts for quite a while, and have excellent results behind them. We avoid wasting valuable learning time on flashy powerpoints or interactive whiteboards because we believe that the most motivating thing for a student is to feel like they are making good progress, with supportive and encouraging tutors who really know their subjects!
If you would like to get in touch to discuss coming to Barts to study, for the first time or as a retake, Geography or any other subject for that matter, please do get in touch with us through our contact page.