A Level Geography

About This Course

Our A Level Geography course proves there is more to Geography than being able to read a map. Enrol onto this intense home based course and at your own pace you can develop your knowledge of natural hazards, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, as well as explore theories behind globalisation and human rights.

In fact, you will receive the exact same course materials and examinations that you would attending college – materials that have been updated to meet the latest academic specifications and content – however, instead of having to go to class, you can complete this 2 year course from the comfort of your own home.

No deadlines. No pressure. You can study when, where and how you want, and can even decide when YOU are ready to take your exam.

And this is great news if you are just getting back into education or are restricted by prior commitments; as you can easily fit your studies around your existing obligations without having to sacrifice on your desire to boost your mind and your CV.

Course Benefits

Split into 8 areas of study, each of these topics is designed to broaden your understanding of Geography, whilst enabling you to acquire valuable practical skills.

The fact you can benefit from 4 consecutive days of fieldwork (at either our centres in Coventry, Bolton or Wimbledon), means when you apply to university you will have proof that you are able to apply your theoretical knowledge within a real and practical setting.

With this course, you will:

• Earn up to 56 UCAS points that can be used in your applications for university.
• Expand your knowledge, competency and understanding of hazards, glaciated landscapes, energy security and the carbon cycle.
• Challenge your mind-set, thoughts and theories.
• Encourage you to think outside of the box.

Course Units

Area of Study 1: Dynamic Landscapes
Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards 

• Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis
• The Earth’s Internal Structure
• Plate Tectonic Theory
• Continental Drift
• Palaeomagnetism
• Plate Boundaries
• MEDCs and LEDCs
• Tectonic Mega-disasters
• Prediction and Forecasting
• Hazard Management

Topic 2: Glaciated Landscapes and Change

• Climate Change
• Volcanic Eruptions
• The Cryosphere
• Ice Masses
• Periglacial Processes and Landforms
• Tundra
• Glacial Mass Balance and Glacier Movement
• Rate of Movement
• Glacial Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition
• Formation of Lowland Depositional Features
• Fluvioglacial Landforms
• Proglacial Features
• Biodiversity
• The Water Cycle and The Carbon Cycle
• Human Activity

Area of Study 2: Dynamic Places
Topic 3: Globalisation

• The Influence of Technology
• International Political and Economic Organisations
• Special Economic Zones and their Benefit
• KOF Index
• Transnational Corporations (TNCs)
• The Global Shift
• Push and Pull Factors
• International Migration
• A Global Culture
• Cultural Erosion
• Gross Domestic Product
• Social Measures of Development
• Effects of Globalisation
• Retention of Cultural Values
• Fair Trade
• Ethical Consumption Schemes
• Recycling

Topic 4: Regeneration Places

• Economies
• Places, Reasons for, and Measuring Change
• National, Global, International and Regional Influences
• The Negative Multiplier Effect
• Media Sources
• Representations of Place
• Infrastructure Investment
• North-south Divide
• Planning Policies
• Government Policy
• Local Interest Groups
• Rebranding
• Regeneration Strategies
• The Living Environment

Area of Study 3: Physical Systems and Sustainability
Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity

• Hydrological Cycle
• Water Stores
• Types of Precipitation
• A Tropical Rainforest: The Amazon
• Water Budget
• River Regimes
• Storm Hydrograph
• Urbanisation
• Drought
• The Ecological Impact
• Flooding
• The Water Cycle and Climate Change
• Rising Demand and Diminishing Supply
• Physical and Economic Scarcity
• Water Conflicts and the Future
• Techno-fix
• Sustainable Schemes

Topic 6: Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

• The Biogeochemical Carbon Cycle
• Human Effects
• Carbon Budgets
• Carbon Sequestration in Oceans
• Thermohaline Circulation
• Terrestrial Sequestration
• The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change
• The Concentration of Carbon
• Photosynthesis
• Energy Consumption
• Fossil Fuels
• Biofuels

Area of Study 4: Human Systems and Geopolitics
Topic 7: Superpowers

• Economic, Military, Political and Cultural Power
• Natural Resources
• Demographics
• Hard Power vs Soft Power
• Types of Polarity
• Geopolitical Polarity and Stability
• Emerging Nations
• Strengths and Weaknesses
• The role of TNCs
• Global Action
• International Alliances
• Arctic Oil and Gas
• Intellectual Property
• Political Spheres of Influence
• Conflicts in the Middle East
• Importance of China and India
• Economic Problems

Topic 8: Health, Human Rights and intervention

• Human Development
• Happy Planet Index
• Sharia Law
• Bolivia under Evo Morales
• Goals of Development
• The Importance of Education
• UNESCO
• Health and Life Expectancy
• The Importance of IGOs
• Millennium Development Goals
• Human Rights
• The Transition to Democracy
• Levels of Political Corruption
• Equality
• Geopolitical Interventions
• Short-term Responses
• Just War Theory
• The Effectiveness of Development Aid
• Recent Military Interventions
• The Cost of Inaction

Assessment

To achieve this A Level qualification you will be assessed across all 8 topics through the use of 3 written examinations. Each of these examinations is designed to test your knowledge, understanding and comprehension of the materials taught on the syllabus.

Paper 1: this 2 hour 15 minute written examination carries 30% of the weight of your A Level grade and will assess your knowledge of the content studied on Areas 1 and 3. This will be achieved through the use of short answer, open response and resource linked questions.

Paper 2: this 2 hour 15 minute written examination carries 30% of the weight of your A Level grade and will assess your knowledge of the materials studied in Areas 2 and 4. This will be achieved through a mixture of short answer, open response and resource linked questions.

Paper 3: this 2 hour 15 minute written examination carries 20% of the weight of your A Level grade and will assess your knowledge of all 4 Areas of study. This will be achieved through a mixture of study answers, open response and resource linked questions.

Coursework/Fieldwork: this section carries 20% of your A Level grade. Here you will be asked to define a question of issue for investigation (related to what you have been taught on the course) using research acquired from your fieldwork.

Assessment Format: you will need to submit a written investigation report of 3000-4000 words which will then be internally assessed and externally monitored. Part of this assessment involves completing fieldwork over 4 consecutive days (minimum), where you will be supervised and monitored.

Please note: exams can only be taken at the centre ‘Tutor and Exams’ in Coventry (due to your fieldwork, which needs to be completed at one of our Skegness or Lincoln centres at a cost of £850).

In order to complete this course, you will need to take the standard A Level examinations. The first available for this syllabus are in May/June 2018.

The examinations run on specific dates; however these can easily be found on the Edexcel website. These exams can only be taken in either Coventry, Bolton or Wimbledon, so you will need to ensure you are able to travel to these locations. These exams will need to be booked by yourself and will come with a fee separate from the course cost.

Required Knowledge

There is no requirement to have past qualifications or knowledge of the area to enrol on this course.

In addition – whilst not essential – the following textbooks can be used to enhance your studies and understanding of the course materials.

C. Dunn, AS/A Level Geography Student Guide 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards: Landscape systems, processes and change

C. Dunn, AS/A level Geography Student Guide 2: Globalisation: Shaping Places

V. Pointon et al. Edexcel GCE Geography as Level Student Book and eBook

B. Digby, Geography for Edexcel A Level Year 1 and AS Student Book

All of these textbooks are available to buy from popular booksellers.

Awarding Body

Upon completion of this A Level qualification you will receive an A Level in Geography issued by Edexcel.

Support

Throughout the 2 year duration of this home study course, you will receive the continuous guidance and support of your very own personal tutor, who will always be on hand to take your questions or mentor you on your studies.

The course pack provided at the beginning of this course is particularly beneficial as the self-assessment exercises and tutor marked study questions can be used by your tutor to track your progression and provide you with invaluable feedback.

Similarly, you can take full advantage of our student support team, who – at just a click away – can easily answer all of your queries or concerns, so you are never left to struggle or feel isolated in your studies.

Frequently Asked Questions