Sixth Form: Geography

Subject Overview

Geography is a popular and successful subject at Heart of England Sixth Form. We believe that all students should be encouraged to develop an interest and understanding of the world in which we live and in doing so we aim to improve our students’ geographical skills, knowledge and enthusiasm. This is a Post-16 course in which students complete an AS qualification in Year 12, followed by an A2 award for those who continue with the subject into Year 13. Students will experience a range of teaching and learning approaches including individual research, paired/group discussion and teacher led activities. Both physical and human geography topics are studied to provide students with a well rounded geographical education in which they can develop skills and understanding essential for future success in a range of careers and higher education courses.

Syllabuses (Course Outline and Structure)

We follow the AQA Geography syllabus.

The AS Specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Physical and Human Geography in which students study:

  • Rivers, floods and management
  • Coastal environments
  • Global population change
  • Energy issues

Assessment is through an externally assessed 2 hour exam exam: Weighting: 70% of total AS / 35% of total A Level marks Structured short and extended questions.

Unit 2: Geographical Skills in which students study:

  • Basic
  • Investigative
  • ICT
  • Graphical
  • Cartographical
  • Statistical and
  • Research skills

Assessment is through an externally assessed 1 hour exam: Weighting: 30% of total AS / 15% of total A Level marks Structured skills and generic research/fieldwork questions.

The A2 Specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Contemporary Geographical Issues in which students study:

  • Plate tectonics and associated hazards
  • World cities
  • Development and globalisation

Assessment is through an externally assessed 2 hour exam: Weighting: 30% of total A Level marks. Structured short and extended questions and an essay.

Unit 4B: Geographical Issue Evaluation

Assessment is through an externally assessed written 1 hour 30 minutes exam: Weighting: 20% of total A Level marks Structured short and extended questions based on an advance information booklet issued by AQA.

Entry Requirements and Prohibited Options

You need to have at least Grade C in GCSE Geography (almost all students have taken the higher tier GCSE exam)

Activities and Trips

We are pleased to be able to offer all students the opportunity to take part in a four day residential fieldcourse to North Wales. The focus of the fieldcourse is to develop students’ geographical skills in preparation for their Unit 2 AS exam. However it also provides an ideal opportunity to experience a rich geographical environment and to develop first hand case studies for use in AS and A2 units.

Expected Costs

The estimated cost of the fieldcourse is around £160 which includes full board accommodation, insurance cover and transport. The exact costings will depend upon the number of students opting to study Geography and  other variable factors.

Subject Resources

Past Papers

We have a range of past exam papers in school for use in class and for independent  exam preparation and practice. In addition past exam papers can be obtained from the exam board website at:

Courses References

Students have access to 2 key AS text books at school:

  • ‘AQA Geography’ published by Nelson-Thornes. ISBN 978-0-7487-8258-1Audio file
  • ‘AQA AS Geography’ published by Philip Allan. ISBN 978-0-340-94611-4Audio file

Students have access to 2 key A2 text books at school:

  • ‘AQA Geography’ published by Nelson-Thornes. ISBN 978-0-7467-8259-8Audio file
  • ‘AQA A2 Geography’ published by Philip Allan. ISBN 978-0-340-94612-1Audio file

Useful Links

The home page for AQA A level Geography is:

From here links can be made to a range of useful materials.