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The study of geography is about more than memorising places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures across continents, and using that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together. You'll develop a critical understanding of the challenges facing the world in the 21st century through the exploration of real-life issues, from your local area to global challenges such as climate change. Geography is a wide-ranging A Level that explores the relationships between people, places and environments at local, national and global scales, helping you understand the social, economic and environmental forces shaping our world.
What will I study in Geography A-level?
You will study the following Modules:-
A balanced Physical and Human Geography course with four modules. Two in Year 1 and two in Year 2
Dynamic Places
Dynamic Landscapes: Tectonics and Coasts
Physical Systems and Sustainability: water and carbon cycles
Human Systems and Geopolitics
You will find that this course follows on and expands upon the work covered in your GCSE Geography.
Entry Requirements
At least five GCSE’s at grade 4 or above all from the core subjects. English language is very important as you will be required to write essays.
How will I learn?
This course will equip you with both the geographical knowledge and skills to fulfil your potential within your A-level exam and also prepare you with the skills to become independent life-long learners with both initiative and thirst for learning.
You will develop the skills to present a well-balanced argument on a particular topic area in a range of essay marked questions. Alongside this, you will develop analytical skills from a range of data and visual sources. Also, you will develop a focus on a particular area of interest and complete an independent investigation using a range of data collection, presentation and analytical skills.
Geography will equip you with a wide view of the world today, how it works economically and the challenges it faces both socially and environmentally. The course is highly respected by the best universities and is a good preparation for further study at university.
The course structure allows from day one the opportunity for you to explore your optional topics alongside critical topic areas. The majority of students have two lecturers, one who sees them for 3 hours a week and a second lecturer who sees them for an hour and half a week. Each lesson builds on topic areas explored in the previous class, alongside scaffolding to support student gaps in knowledge, alongside providing students' opportunities to stretch their understanding of topic areas further.
How will I be assessed?
80% of the course is assessed by three exams at the end of your second year.
The other 20% is done via fieldwork which will comprise of either a Human or Physical Geography project carried out by you during the 2 years and will offer you the chance to develop a wide range of practical skills before creating a 4,000 word fieldwork report.
Any trips?
Students have to do four mandatory days as part of their Geography A-Level - locations will include the following:-
Cirencester
South Wales and Cardiff
Clevedon (coastal fieldwork)
Purton and Malmesbury
In addition we offer an optional year one residential trip in the UK each year to help students with their coursework.
Additionally there may be the opportunity to go on an optional international trip whilst studying with us - in 2026 we went to Tenerife.
Also you will have the opportunity to attend geography talks and lectures.
Are there any costs involved?
There will be small costs for course booklets and stationary.
The mandatory trips have a small cost attached to cover the cost of transport to the fieldwork locations - the cost in total will be approximately £40 over the year.
Device Requirements
COURSE_DEVICE
If you already own a device that meets the technical requirements of your course, you are welcome to bring it with you to college.
If not, more information on a convenient rental and help-to-buy scheme designed specifically for Cirencester College students is linked below.
FAQs
What opportunities are there to explore progression possibilities?
We run a number of events throughout the year aimed at giving students the opportunity to explore progression possibilities.
In the past this has included trips to universities including the University of Gloucestershire.
We also bring in lecturers from local universities such as UWE to give students a taste of what university might be like.
How much work will I be expected to do outside of the classroom?
This will vary throughout the year depending on if you are currently completing coursework or building up to an exam, however in an average week there is an expectation that you will be doing a similar amount outside of the classroom to your work inside of the classroom. This work will need to be submitted and your lecturers will check that you are keeping up with this.
Would studying Core Maths alongside A-Level Geography be helpful?
This is not necessary, but if you are not also studying A-Level Maths, taking L3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) could be a useful option to help support the work done in A-Level Geography. Core Maths is a one-year course that you would take alongside your other 3 subjects, with exams at the end of your first year. Taking this would help to reinforce the data analysis work done in Geography, especially it could add value to your coursework, looking at presenting and analysing data graphically, as well as calculating the standard deviation of a set of data. Core Maths also looks at probability modelling, critical analysis and personal finance.
Awarding Body
EDEXCEL
Available As
A Level
[56 UCAS pts. available]
[56 UCAS pts. available]
Add to Application
What can I do after I have taken this course?
Available As
A Level
[56 UCAS pts. available]
[56 UCAS pts. available]
Add to Application
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