This is a modern and dynamic course that focuses on the world around you and the issues that it faces. Do you want to find out the facts behind many news stories to make your own mind up? Then Geography is the subject for you. You will learn about  the causes, impacts and solutions from local to world issues that affect many people including yourself.

What is the structure of the course?

The AQA A-Level in Geography is split between the human and natural world.  However, the interactions between them both is at the forefront. The human course begins with the Contemporary Urban World which is very much global unit which also gives plenty of opportunity to learn from urban areas within the UK such as Chester. The Changing Places unit has a heavy focus on skills, especially that of interpreting a wide range of sources. Globalisation and Governance focuses on the world  today; how it is managed, the issues it faces and why these are occurring. The physical part of the course focuses on the    challenges planet earth faces today and beyond. This ranges from a global scale with water and carbon balances down to a more regional viewpoint with  an array of hazards and their management studied.  You will also undertake an independent piece of fieldwork that is then written into a report which focuses on analysis and evaluation in particular.

What skill/requirements are essential?

Students will need  an appreciation of the world on a range of scales from local to global. Following the news in any format meets this challenge as many stories have a geographic background which can be used in class and homework. An ability to analyse data and evaluate conclusions is important in both coursework and exam based questions. Knowing  geographic information is important but giving it meaning is key to gaining higher grades. Confident numeracy skills help with the data analysis aspects.

What do students think?

‘It’s the streets you live on, the hills you walk by, the governance that surrounds you. That’s what geography is and it’s  everywhere’. Ryan Davies, A* grade achieved 2020.

Where can this course lead?

Geography at A Level gives you a really good understanding of the current world around you alongside a wide range of skills. As a result, it leads into many diverse careers and other areas of study. Geography leads to careers directly linked to the knowledge of the course such as conservation and environmental management, to less directly related careers such as marketing and risk insurance. The transferable skills of research, data collection, presentation and analysis are useful for the majority of courses at university as well as many well paid jobs in finance and business management. Geography graduates are some of the most employable with better than average pay in nearly all university surveys.