AQA A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY (7037) 2016 ONWARDS
AQA A LEVEL
The AQA A Level Geography course offers students a detailed exploration of both human
and physical geography, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The
course is designed to develop students’ understanding of the dynamic relationships between
people, places, and environments, with a strong focus on real-world issues. It encourages
critical thinking, independent research, and the application of geographical concepts to
contemporary global challenges.
Key Features of the Course:
1. Physical Geography: This section focuses on the Earth’s natural processes and systems. Students explore the functioning of physical environments, including topics like coastal systems, tectonic hazards, and the carbon and water cycles.
2. HumanGeography: This component examines how human activity interacts with the environment. Key themes include urbanization, globalisation, and the challenges of sustainable development. Students also explore the relationships between people and places, looking at issues like migration, cultural identity, and social inequality.
3. Geographical Skills: Students develop practical geographical skills, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The course emphasizes fieldwork, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
4. Independent Investigation: The course includes a personal research project where students conduct fieldwork to explore a geographical issue of their choice. This independent investigation helps develop research skills and an understanding of geographical inquiry.
5. Contemporary Relevance: The course integrates key contemporary geographical challenges, such as climate change, resource management, and urbanization, providing students with a real-world context for their studies.
Component 1: Physical Geography
What’s assessed:
Section A: Water and carbon cycles
Section B: Choose between Hot desert systems and landscapes, Coastal
systems and landscapes, or Glacial systems and landscapes
Section C: Choose between Hazards or Ecosystems under stress
How it’s assessed:
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks, 40% of the A-level
Questions:
Section A: Answer all questions (36 marks)
Section B: Choose one of the three questions (36 marks)
Section C: Choose one of the two questions (48 marks)
Question types include: short answer, levels of response, and extended prose.
Component 2: Human Geography
What’s assessed:
Section A: Global systems and global governance
Section B: Changing places
Section C: Choose between Contemporary urban
environments, Population and the environment, or Resource security
How it’s assessed:
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks, 40% of the A-level
Questions:
Section A: Answer all questions (36 marks)
Section B: Answer all questions (36 marks)
Section C: Choose one of the three questions (48 marks)
Question types include: short answer, levels of response, and extended prose.
Component 3: Geography Fieldwork Investigation
What’s assessed:
Students complete an individual investigation based on a geographical
question or issue they develop, which must include data collected in the field.
The investigation can relate to any part of the specification content.
How it’s assessed:
Wordcount:3,000–4,000 words
Marks:60marks, 20% of the A-level
Assessment: Marked by teachers and moderated by AQA