A Level Geography

Qualification: A Level Geography (9GEO)

Awarding Body: Edexcel

Support: Up to 2 years

Exams: May/June 2024 or May /June 2025

UCAS Points: Yes - Dependant on Grades

Study Time: 360 Guided Learning Hours - 700 Hours Total Study

PAYMENT DETAILS:

Paying in Full: £499

Paying in Stages: Your first payment will be £99, then a direct debit will be set up for nine monthly payments of £50. Only available to students with a UK bank account. 

Two A Levels: Enter code AL50 at checkout to receive £50 off (Full payment only).
Three A Levels: Enter code AL200 at checkout to receive £200 off (Full payment only).

HOW IT WORKS:

This course will prepare you for sitting your A Level in Geography. You will be able to gain up to 56 UCAS points to aid in your University application process.

We provide you with support for up to two years but it is entirely up to you how quickly you work through and when you sit the exams.

Exams take place once a year in May/June. You may choose to study 'fast track' and aim for the next available dates or you may choose to take a methodical approach and take them at a later date. The choice is entirely yours.

You can study the course online through a portal or receive a hard copy delivered in folders that is yours to keep.

Throughout the course you are fully supported so if you come across anything you are unsure of you can contact your tutor by email. You also have a support team by telephone.

At the end of each section you will complete an assignment which you will email to your tutor. This doesn't count towards your end grade but it allows the tutor to ensure you are on the right track and help iron out any problem areas. Assignments consist of exam style questions so are effectively mini mock exams. The idea is that by the end of the course you are fully up to speed and confident you will achieve the grade you require.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

There are no entry requirements but it is recommended that you have studied the subject at GCSE Level to grade C or above. 

SYLLABUS

Qualification code: 9GEO

AREA OF STUDY 1: DYNAMIC LANDSCAPES

Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards

• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes
• Tsunami
• The Earths 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
• Periglacial Landforms
• Tundra
• Glacial mass balance
• Glacier movement
• Rate of movement
• Glacial erosion
• Glacial transportation
• Glacial Deposition
• Formation of lowland depositional features
• Fluvioglacial landforms
• Preglacial features
• Biodiversity
• Water Cycle
• 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
• Benefits of SEZs
• 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: Regenerating Places

• Economies
• Places change
• Reasons for change
• Measuring change
• National and regional influences
• Global and International 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
• Techo-fix
• Sustainable schemes

Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

• The biochemical carbon cycle
• Human Effects
• Carbon Budgets
• Carbon sequestration in oceans
• Thermohaline circulation
• Terrestrial sequestration
• The Greenhouse Effect
• 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 power
• Military power
• Political power
• 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 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

EXAMS AND ASSESSMENT

Exams take place in May/June of each year. It is the responsibility of the student to book their exams. Exam centres will charge and the price can vary so it is wise to investigate prior to enrolment. A Level Geography contains a coursework/fieldwork unit which contains a minimum of four days fieldwork. You will need to ensure you have found a centre where this can be undertaken. We strongly advise you investigate this prior to enrolment.

A Level Geography consists of three paper-based exams and one piece of coursework/fieldwork. A breakdown of the three papers and coursework/fieldwork follows:

Paper 1:9GEO/01

• Type: Written Examination
• Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Weighting: 30% of A Level
• Total Marks: 105
• Assessed: Areas of study 1 and 3
• Assessment format:A mixture of short answers, open response and resource linked questions. You will also have to complete a 12 and 20 mark extended writing question.

Paper 2: 9GEO/02

• Type: Written Examination
• Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Weighting: 30% of A Level
• Total Marks: 105
• Assessed: Areas of study 2 and 4
• Assessment format:A mixture of short answers, open response and resource linked questions. You will also have to complete a 12 and 20 mark extended writing question.

Paper 3: 9GE0/03

• Type: Written Examination
• Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Weighting: 20% of A Level
• Total Marks: 70
• Assessed: Content from all areas of study
• Assessment format: A mixture of short answers, open response and resource linked questions. You will also have to complete an 8, 18 and 24 mark extended writing question.

Coursework: 9GE0/04

• Type: Coursework/Fieldwork
• Weighting: 20% of A Level
• Total Marks: 70
• Assessed: Define a question of issue for investigation relating to the content in the course using your own research from fieldwork.
• Assessment format: A written investigation report of 3000-4000 words which is internally assessed and externally moderated. You must complete a minimum of fours days of fieldwork, which will be taken under supervision.