a level coursework geography

How to Get an A* in an A-Level Geography NEA

In A-Level by Think Student Editor May 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

An NEA is worth 20% of your overall grade in A-Level Geography. It may not seem like much at first, but that’s 1/5 of your qualification – so you definitely want to make sure it boosts your overall grade! As well as this, there will be hundreds of other students writing A-Level Geography coursework, so yours needs to stand out amongst the others. But, if you were like me, this might be the first time you’ve ever had to complete coursework for an A-Level. So how do you do well?

In this article, I’ll be taking you through (as a former A-Level Geography student) all the dos and don’ts for your geography NEA, and the advice you need to get an A*!

Table of Contents

What is an A-Level Geography NEA?

The geography NEA is the mandatory coursework, that is a part of A-Level Geography. All UK exam boards require A-Level Geography students to produce an NEA. It is also referred to as an “Independent Investigation”.

For an NEA, you will choose a question related to physical or human geography, and then you will collect data to help you answer this question . Most NEAs are around 3,000- 4,000 words. They are essentially research papers!

For inspiration make sure you check out this Think Student article with 75+ NEA ideas!

How is an A-Level Geography NEA structured?

At the front of your geography NEA, you will have to attach a cover sheet provided by your exam board. This will usually have your name, candidate number, centre number, and your title question on it. It must be signed by you and your teachers.

An A-Level Geography NEA typically has around 7 sections :

• Introduction to the investigation
• Methodology/data collection
• Data presentation, analysis, interpretation and evaluation
• Evaluation of the investigation
• Bibliography

Exam boards are not too strict on formatting, however, so as long as you have all the major areas covered, you can format these how you like.

Your bibliography should contain all the references for any secondary material you used as part of your NEA. When you submit an NEA, you will be asked to declare that the work you have produced is 100% your own, and your NEA will be checked for plagiarism . Make sure to reference properly!

As for the rest of the NEA sections, I’ll be explaining them in more detail later in the article, so don’t worry!

How do you get an A* in an A-Level Geography NEA?

Getting an A* in your A-Level Geography NEA is not easy, but it’s definitely not impossible.

The UK exam boards will have their NEA criteria up on their website. NEA marking criteria is usually broken down into 4 “levels” (with level 1 being the least marks and level 4 being the most marks), for each section of the NEA.

To achieve an A* in an A-Level Geography NEA, you’ll need to meet the level 4 criteria in most if not all sections of your NEA.

As a former A-Level Geography student, below I’ll share with you my advice on how to achieve the top marks in your NEA.

The A-Level Geography NEA introduction

The introduction to your A-Level Geography NEA is one of the most important parts – it sets up the rest of your investigation and shows examiners why they should keep reading!

Your introduction will outline your argument and will vaguely demonstrate what you are going to say and why this is important. Remember, you don’t want to say too much, because you’ve got the rest of the NEA to write!

Your introduction should also link to your title question; how is your argument going to relate to and answer your question?

The key to a good geography NEA introduction is to be concise and keep it simple. You should ask yourself: ‘if someone who doesn’t do A-Level Geography read my introduction, would they know what I’m going to talk about?’

How to write an A* A-Level Geography NEA introduction

Your introduction should break down your purpose for the investigation. It isn’t like your typical essay introductions which are 100-200 words – your NEA introduction should be up to 500 words.

It could be helpful to break down your title question into three or four “key inquiry questions”, which you can answer throughout your NEA.

You should also explain your title question, why you chose it and how your research is useful in thinking about the future of the research your question tackles.

Your introduction is the opportunity to provide the examiner with details about your location; you could use maps (as these count as a form of data presentation), point out key geographical features, etc. You should give some local (relevant to your area) context and global context for the issue your question is answering.

To round off the introduction, include some basic geographical theory. For example, if your NEA investigation focuses on erosion, explain the different theories of erosion and how these apply to your investigation. This is an important demonstration of knowledge!

Remember, you can format your NEA however you like (within reason), so you can put this information in whichever order you like. Just make sure you cover all the key areas of your investigation!

The A-Level Geography NEA methodology

Your NEA methodology is a breakdown of how you collected the data you use and present in your coursework.

Your methodology will be one of the most detailed parts of your NEA. This may be surprising, but it’s because your methodology is used to show that your data is legitimate and collected properly.

A methodology is included in the majority of research papers, and your A-Level Geography NEA is no exception! Make sure you put time and care into writing your methodology properly, or it could undermine your investigation.

How do you write an A* methodology for an A-Level Geography NEA?

The way you physically present your methodology is up to you, but it should cover all the qualitative data (non-measurable data), and quantitative data (measurable/numerical data).

For example, I presented my methodology as a big table across 2 pages of my NEA. Definitely don’t underestimate the size of your methodology – it’s what verifies that your data is legitimate!

In your methodology, you should include:

• The types of data you collected
• Where you collected this data (collection points)
• The equipment you used to collect your data
• A description of the method
• How often you collected data (intervals)
• The sampling technique (stratified, systematic, etc.)
• A justification for your method

As part of your methodology, you should also include what are called “ethical considerations” and a “risk assessment”.

Ethical considerations essentially means showing awareness of any ethical problems with your data collection methods. As an example, if you used a survey as a data collection, a problem with that may be that the participants’ privacy is not protected. Therefore, an ethical consideration would be to anonymise the survey.

A risk assessment is an awareness of the risks that are involved with data collection (such as getting lost, injured, weather events, etc.), and what you will do to prevent these risks. For example, having an emergency contact.

Data presentation, analysis, interpretation and evaluation in an A-Level Geography NEA

The data section of your NEA is the longest chunk and is worth the most marks. Now that you’ve set up your investigation, this is the section where you present all of your findings and interpret them, by explaining what they show and why.

Don’t panic if not all of the data you collected can be used – I certainly had a bunch of random data I didn’t need by the end! Try to use as much data as possible, and different types of data.

This section helps establish your argument; it’s essentially the evidence for your conclusion as well as just being the body of your NEA.

Since this is a long section, it’s helpful for you and your examiner to split it up into chunks using subheadings. It’s not a good idea to signpost, for example putting the subheading “Analysis”. Instead, you might divide up your data by the location, or the method you used to collect it.

How do you present data to get an A* in an A-Level Geography NEA?

Data presentation in a geography NEA is probably the most unique part of the process – you get to present your data however you want (in accordance with the exam board guidelines, of course)!

In the data presentation section, you need to display all the data you collected for your investigation. This can be in charts, graphs, tables, photos, and more.

The data needs to be readable, so your graphs should be labelled correctly, and your photos should have captions. If you’re using any data that isn’t yours, remember to reference it correctly.

It’s also a good chance to add a bit of colour, to make your A-Level Geography NEA look great!

How do you analyse and evaluate data to get an A* in an A-Level Geography NEA?

Your data analysis, interpretation, and evaluation section of your geography NEA is the most important section.

You should pick out key elements of the data and explain what they mean with regard to your NEA investigation question. How does the data you collected argue for/against your question?

Where applicable, it’s a good idea to calculate and explain medians, means, modes, and averages, to show that you aren’t just repeating what’s already in your presentation. You need to do something with the raw numbers, you definitely shouldn’t just relay your exact findings.

When you’re analysing, ask yourself the question: what does my data mean?

When you’re evaluating, ask yourself the question: how does my data answer my investigation?

By keeping these questions in mind when you’re interpreting your data, you can show the examiner that you can prove why your data is important and that you have a good understanding of analysis and evaluation.

Should you include statistical tests to get an A* in an A-Level Geography NEA?

The short answer to this question is: absolutely!

By now, you will have practiced a few statistical tests as part of the rest of A-Level Geography, such as Spearman’s Rank, the T-Test, Mann-Whitney U test, and standard deviation.

You should aim to use one or two stats tests when presenting the data, you collected for your geography NEA. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ stats test, so choose whichever is applicable for your data.

Statistical tests are a good demonstration of your analytical, interpretative and evaluative skills . By including a couple, you are showing the examiner that you have a clear knowledge of what the tests mean and why they’re useful!

If you struggle with the calculations, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Obviously other people can’t do it for you (remember that as part of submitting your geography NEA, you will have to testify that your work is entirely your own), but you can always ask to be shown how to do them!

Evaluating your A-Level Geography NEA investigation

Your A-Level Geography NEA investigation evaluation is slightly different to the evaluation of your data. In this section of your NEA, you should evaluate the success of the overall investigation.

You should discuss your locations and the methods you used to collect your data (both primary AND secondary data!). What was good about them? What wasn’t so good? If you had been somewhere else and used different methods, how might the outcome of your investigation have changed?

It’s also important to acknowledge the validity of your conclusions.

For example, you may not have had time or access to the correct resources to collect some really important data, that would’ve affected your outcome and potentially changed it. Showing an awareness of this helps build a more sophisticated and mature argument.

It’s important to note than an evaluation is not the same as a conclusion! You shouldn’t be summarising your research. Instead, explain the positives and negatives of your research choices.

The A-Level Geography NEA conclusion

Your conclusion is crucial because it ties together your methods, research, and analysis. Remember those “key inquiry questions” I mentioned earlier? Well now is the time to answer them!

Your NEA conclusion will answer your title question and provide the examiner with a neat, rounded summary of your investigation. By reading the conclusion, someone should be able to know the key parts of your argument and why they are important.

A conclusion is also a place to propose solutions – what can we do in future that we aren’t doing now? How might future events like climate change impact your research?

If there are relevant questions that could impact the outcome of your investigation, but you don’t have time to consider them in detail, put them in your conclusion. This shows the examiner that you have an awareness of micro- and macro-scale issues!

How do you write an A* A-Level Geography NEA conclusion?

Like most essay conclusions, your geography NEA conclusion will summarise your main arguments, what you found, and what your data means. It can also be a good place to ask any of the questions you still don’t have answers to.

You could start by going through your inquiry questions and writing “sub-conclusions” in response to them. Then, you should move on to the big conclusion: answering your title question.

In your conclusion, you should highlight the key things you found as a result of your research, broadly and specifically. Showing consideration to the “big” and “small” issues is good for showing your critical thinking skills!

Your conclusion should be about the same length as your introduction, give or take. If you start running out of things to say, don’t add things unnecessarily to fill the word count – your conclusion should be the most clear and concise part of your NEA.

Examples of A-Level Geography NEAs

Most, if not all, exam boards will have an “exemplar” coursework on their website. For example, I’ve linked the OCR exemplar coursework for you here , so check your exam board website for their exemplar!

The exemplar coursework is written and submitted by a real student, but it’s important to follow the mark scheme, not just copying someone else’s coursework. Your NEA will be checked for plagiarism!

Similarly, most schools keep exemplar coursework from each year, so if you need some inspiration, ask your teachers for the coursework they have.

If you’re struggling for ideas of what to write on for your Geography NEA, check out this Think Student article with 75+ ideas!

*To learn more about the A-Level Geography NEA, check out the specifications from the main exam boards, AQA , Pearson Edexcel and OCR by clicking on their respective links.

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Edexcel A-level Geography Revision

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A-level paper 2, a-level paper 3, non-exam assessment.

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A-level Geography

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources
• Assessment resources
• Introduction

Specification at a glance

• 3.1 Physical geography
• 3.2 Human geography
• 3.3 Geography fieldwork investigation
• 3.4 Geographical skills checklist
• Scheme of assessment
• Non-exam assessment administration
• General administration

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

Subject content

Physical geography.

• 1. Water and carbon cycles
• 2. Hot desert systems and landscapes
• 3. Coastal systems and landscapes
• 4. Glacial systems and landscapes
• 6. Ecosystems under stress

Human geography

• 7. Global systems and global governance
• 8. Changing places
• 9. Contemporary urban environments
• 10. Population and the environment
• 11. Resource security

Geography fieldwork investigation

• 12. Fieldwork requirements
• 13. Investigation requirements

Geographical skills

• 14. Geographical skills checklist

Assessments

Edexcel A Level Geography Revision Notes

Concise resources for the Edexcel A Level Geography course.

1. Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2. glaciated landscape & change, 3. coastal landscapes & change, 4. globalisation, 5. regenerating places, 6. diverse places, 7. the water cycle & water insecurity, 8. the carbon cycle & energy insecurity, 9. superpowers, 10. health, human rights & intervention, 11. migration, identity & sovereignty.

Become a member and discover where geography can take you.

• Choose geograp...

Geography: it’s the must-have A-level. The Guardian

Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice, and combines well with both arts and science subjects. It can be a facilitating subject - that is a subject most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses. Choosing facilitating subjects will keep more options at the university-level; geography opens doors to other degrees such as business and administrative studies, law, engineering and technology, and the other social physical sciences.

Geography was also found to be the most relevant A Level subject in teaching students about climate change (YouGov/RGS 2020).

A Level geography

A Level geography offers a selection of new, interesting topics not covered at GCSE level, and allows you to go into greater depth in some key elements previously studied. It covers both the physical and human environments and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. It will also, importantly, show the applied side of the subject - how human intervention affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects of processes on their environment.

There is plenty of room for discussion and extended research, which will help you become an independent thinker and learner. By the time you get to your exams, you will be able to show your understanding of a range of opinions and be able to illustrate your answers with case studies from local, national and international examples.

You will learn in a wide variety of ways, using maps, GIS skills, data analysis, photos, videos, and podcasts, as well as attending lectures and study days. You will be encouraged to frame your own questions using higher level thinking skills and show your grasp of complex issues through report and essay writing. Fieldwork will be an essential part of your A Level course.

The four key geographical themes outlined below are compulsory which, when combined with fieldwork, accounts for 60% of the course. The additional 40% is flexible and varies depending on the exam board chosen by teaching staff.

Core themes

Water and carbon cycles.

You will study the physical processes which control the water and carbon cycles between land, oceans and the atmosphere, all of which are critical mechanisms in supporting life on Earth.

Listen: Forests and the carbon cycle

Landscape systems

Focusing on either dry arid, coastal or glacial environments, you will study what earth surface processes have produced their characteristic landforms.

Listen: How do glacial surfaces evolve over time?

Global systems and global governance

In a globalising world, people, places and environments are increasingly connected leading to the rapid global movement of goods, people, technology and ideas. A Level studies focus on the consequences of a highly interconnected world and the efforts to regulate it - labelled ‘global governance’.

Listen: How is globalisation changing the countryside?

Changing places

The connections and relationships between people, the economy, society and the environment help to explain why places are constantly changing. Through the study of local locations it will become apparent how flows of people, resources, money, ideas and government polices can change the nature of places.

Watch: Geographical lates: climate talks

Geographical fieldwork

Fieldwork will be an essential part of your A Level course - you will be required to complete an independent non-examined assessment (NEA). This provides an excellent opportunity to conduct a fieldwork study in relation to physical and human processes.

A minimum of four days of fieldwork is required at A Level. You may even get to go on a residential trip to experience a very different environment to the one where you live. You may visit an area that is known for its coastal, river or glaciated scenery, or carry out enquiries relating to issues in your local environment. You will have the flexibility to identify your own topic for your NEA. The write up of your study will provide an excellent insight into producing a concise university-style dissertation.

Gaining relevant skills

Studying A Level geography provides you with a variety of valuable skills and knowledge that can be transferred and used across other subject areas and in everyday life.

Building arguments requires a high level of English skills at this level. In addition maths skills are also obtained to an advanced standard with a clear focus on statistical testing. Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) develops confidence in ICT. Researching, presenting, referencing, critical thinking, map-reading and scientific reasoning skills will all be honed along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Visual communication skills

Geography gives you the opportunity to gather, analyse and present data in a variety of ways so you will also develop your visual communication skills using maps, graphs, diagrams and images to problem solve.

Data and geospatial skills

You will develop your qualitative and quantitative geographical skills at A Level while working with images, factual text and discursive/creative material, digital data, numerical and spatial data and innovative forms of data, including crowd-sourced and 'big data'. You will also develop your maths, especially statistical testing.

Fieldwork experience

A Level study requires students to complete an independent non-examined assessment. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to conduct a fieldwork study in relation to physical and human processes. Fieldwork provides you with useful skills in collecting, understanding and later communicating data to different audiences. It can also lead you to opportunities to travel further afield to fascinating destinations.

Research skills

You will develop skills to select research questions, apply relevant techniques and skills, and find appropriate ways to analyse and communicate your findings.

Working in teams during fieldwork and in the classroom will help develop your communication and collaboration skills.

Communication skills

You will develop English skills, helping you to produce convincing arguments and to communicate ideas effectively, both in writing and in oral communcation. These skills are highly valued by all employers.

Next steps for students who studied A Level geography

Geography is a broad based subject which provides lots of opportunities for future progression. For example, geography is an obvious choice for careers in sustainability and green issues , urban regeneration , energy supply , retail location , managing the effects of hazards and climate change .

For careers in the world of business , an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in law , human rights , international relations or welfare , then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as: How do we measure development?   What are the consequences of migration on societies?  

If you are working towards a future course in medicine or veterinary medicine then geography is a good choice to give your A Level options the breadth that universities seek, as you will gain a clear understanding of how the environment affects health and survival of people, animals and ecosystems as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays and extended reports.

Of course many A Level students do not yet have a clear idea of what kind of career they might want to pursue. If you are in this position, remember that geography as an A Level gives you the chance to keep your options open , as it covers both arts and science components. It is quite likely that when you choose geography your classmates will all be doing different combinations of A Level subjects – this adds to the interest when it comes to discussions on issues as everyone will have very different ways of thinking and expressing their opinions.

To get a top grade you will need to read around the subject in newspapers and through magazine and internet articles; TV and radio documentaries are a rich source of current issues too. The Society's  Student Members and School Members have access to the full range of our award-winning resources. 

Next step: Choose geography at university

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All about A level Geography – course information

What's a level geography about.

“ Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future " - Michael Palin,

There has never been a better or more important time to study A level Geography. Dealing with vital issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, social issues and natural hazards, A level Geography is one of the most relevant subjects you could choose to study. Students enjoy the scope of the material they cover in geography, the insights it can provide into the world around us and the highly contemporary nature of the issues it tackles.

The A level Geography course is often split into human and physical geography even though geography is a very fluid subject with some of the issues overlapping. Human topics such as urbanisation and globalisation are very good for generating debate and allowing students to apply their knowledge to a worldwide context.

Physical geography looks at topics such a natural hazards and look at how hazards occur, what can be done to predict them and the management that is in place if one occurs. Students often find this side of the subject more interesting, but more challenging due to unfamiliarity of the content.

Each exam board provides slightly different topic options within these broad areas. Have a look at the OCR Geography syllabus for more information.

What sort of work is involved?

To study A level Geography, you need to have an enquiring and open mind. Geography is a study of the world around us and you need to be aware of issues worldwide, not just in the UK. You need to be able to debate issues such as migration and to  think about them from political and social perspectives as well. Your opinion is important, but you also need to think about debates from someone else’s perspective. Reading newspapers and articles to keep your subject knowledge up to date is vital.

A basic grasp of maths is required and the ability to interpret graphs and analyse them is fundamental, along with basic maps skills. There is a lot of information and new vocabulary to learn, so you'll need a good memory!. You will learn case studies on specific topics and you will develop the skill of writing longer answers clearly and succinctly.

For the OCR exam board the final exam involves coursework where you will need to complete an investigation of 3000-4000 words. This coursework counts for 20% of your final marks, so is really important!

What background do I need?

There is no requirement to have studied GCSE Geography, but it can provide a head start to the information you have to learn. Having an interest in current affairs and reading newspapers is most important as this informs a lot of in-class discussion. You'll need a decent standard of maths and english to cope with  the writing and the work on graphs and data.

Where can it lead?

Geography is a highly respected academic A level. As well as Geography-based degrees it can support a wide range of other studies such as Biology, Business Studies and Economics.

One year course?

Taking the whole A level in one year is tough and has been made tougher by the requirement for course work. It is possible to do it well, but it requires a large amount of work out of the classroom. The course is content-heavy requiring the recall and application of a large amount of material.

The A level is  assessed at the end of the second year through 3 exams and a piece of coursework. Exam boards differ somewhat in their exam structure: this is what OCR require.

Paper 1: Physical systems lasts 1 hour 30 mins, counts for 22%. This paper covers the main physical geography topics. From studying coasts, or glaciation or desert, how landforms developed and the influences of both climate and human activity on this. Water and carbon cycling, stores and processes, human activity affects on tropical rainforest and arctic tundra. Physical changes in  over time at a range of scales as well as global management strategies to protect these cycles.

Paper 2: Human interaction  lasts 1 hour 30 mins, counts for 22%. This paper covers the main human geography topics. The relationships and connections between people, the economy, and society and how these contribute to creating places, taking a topic each from global systems (trade or migration) and global governance (human rights or power & borders).

Paper 3: Geographical debates lasts 2 hour 30 mins, counts for 36% and covers synoptic (unifying)  themes in Geography. For this paper you study two of the following 5 topics: Climate change, Disease dilemmas, Exploring oceans, Future of food, Hazardous Earth.

Coursework: Investigative geography A project which counts for 20%, in which you define a question or issue to investigate, carry out the fieldwork , and write a report of 3000-4000 words showing independent analysis, evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing.

This article was written by Mark Leaford of Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies

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Sale! A Level Geography

Course codes.

OSC1287 / OSC1405

Earn up to 56 UCAS points with this online A Level Geography course from home. We have a 94% pass rate ** with our A Levels!

• Gain an official A Level Geography qualification from Edexcel.
• Achieve up to 56 UCAS points to help you land your dream place at university.
• Nationally recognised accredited A Level qualification that is the same course offered in schools and colleges.
• No waiting around for term to start, you can enrol today and start studying as soon as you are ready.
• Study this online A Level from home at your own pace.
• Benefit from the full support of your personal tutor via email.
• Choose to include exams and fieldwork and save up to £770 *.

After completing your Geography A Level, you could progress to study a degree in subjects such as global studies, geography, environmental sciences, politics, economics and sciences.

Future career options

Potential future careers could include travel and tourism, environmental management, civil engineering, agriculture, and horticulture.

A Level geography via distance learning

This A Level Geography course is exactly the same as an A Level you would study at school or college, meaning you will take the same exams and get the same qualification. The only difference is that our courses are designed to be studied from home at your own pace, and you will receive full tutor support via email.

Course Duration

Up to two years.

Course Outcome

A Level Geography qualification from Edexcel.

Entry Requirements

We recommend that you have at least a grade 4/C in GCSE Maths, however, this is not essential.

Three paper-based exams, four days of fieldwork and coursework

Course content

Specification code: Edexcel 9GE0

Topic 1 Tectonic processes and hazards

• Earthquakes
• The earth's internal structure
• Plate tectonic theory
• Continental drift
• Paleomagnetism
• 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
• Periglacial processes
• Periglacial landforms
• Glacial mass balance
• Glacier movement
• Rate of movement
• Glacial erosion
• Glacial transportation
• Glacial deposition
• Formation of lowland depositional features
• Fluvioglacial landforms
• Proglacial features
• Biodiversity
• Water cycle
• Carbon cycle
• Human activity

Topic 3 Globalisation

• The influence of technology
• International political and economic organisations
• Special economic zones
• Benefits of SEZs
• 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
• Ethical consumption schemes

Topic 4 Regenerating places

• 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
• Regeneration strategies
• The living environment

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
• The ecological impact
• The water cycle and climate change
• Rising demand and diminishing supply
• Physical and economic scarcity
• Water conflicts and the future
• Sustainable schemes

Topic 6 The carbon cycle and energy security

• The biogeochemical 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

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
• Bolivia under Evo Morales
• Goals of development
• The importance of education
• Health and life expectancy
• The importance of IGOs
• Millennium development goals
• Human rights
• The transition to democracy
• Levels of political corruption
• Geopolitical interventions
• Short-term responses
• Just war theory
• The effectiveness of development aid
• Recent military interventions
• The cost of inaction

Course duration

You will have two years to complete your A Level Geography course.

The only deadlines involved in studying this course are concerning the A Level exam timetables. Please see the exams and assessments section for more information on this.

Exams and assessments

To achieve your A Level Geography qualification, you must complete the exams, fieldwork and coursework required. There are three written exams for this course which will cover the topics studied on this course. A breakdown of the exam papers can be found in the following section.

When you enrol on your course, you will have the option to add your exams to your enrolment, or you can select the course-only option.

As part of this course, you must undertake fieldwork that meets the minimum requirement of four days. You can choose to add this on with us as part of the exams and fieldwork package. The fieldwork will be based on a range of habitats in Lincolnshire. Once you have completed your fieldwork, you must complete a written report that is 3,000-4,000 words long based on your fieldwork.

Choosing to add the exams and fieldwork package

You will need to contact our team to find out the exact dates for the fieldwork. Fieldwork and exams must be completed in the same year.

If you choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, all you need to do is contact us when you are ready to complete your fieldwork and sit your exams, and we will book and pay for them on your behalf. Please note that the A Level exam timetable typically takes place during May and June each year. You are advised to contact us well in advance of when you intend to complete your fieldwork and exams so that we can confirm your place with the exam board (cut-off dates apply).

Please note, our A Level exam centre locations for this course are as follows:

• St Neots, Cambridgeshire
• High Wycombe

As mentioned above, your fieldwork will take place in Lincolnshire, so you must be able to travel to complete your fieldwork.

The course-only option

If you do not add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your assessments yourself. If you select this option, you must source and liaise with your chosen exam centre in order to book your exams and fieldwork, Open Study College will not be able to book your exams for you. In this instance, you are advised to contact Pearson Edexcel exam centres well in advance of their intended exam dates, as cut-off dates sometimes change.

Study method

This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.

The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:

• Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
• Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Upon successful completion of your exams, you will be awarded an A Level Geography qualification issued by Edexcel . You will also receive UCAS points relevant to the grade you achieved to support your university application.

The final grade you achieve in your A Level will be translated into UCAS points. Based on your grade, you will be awarded up to 56 points per A Level which can then be added together to reach the UCAS points you need to be accepted by your chosen university.

To help you achieve the best possible grade from home, we recommend that you complete the tutor-marked assessments included in your course materials. These are designed to provide you with detailed feedback to help you fine-tune your technique before you sit your exam. Completing your tutor-marked assessments will also help your tutor to provide you with a predicted grade if this is required for your UCAS application.

Download our A Level prospectus

To find out more about Open Study College, the A Levels we offer and how they work, download our  A Level prospectus .

Exam details

Paper 1: 9GE0/01

• Type: written examination
• Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Weighting: 30% of A Level
• Total marks: 105
• Assessed: areas of study are topics one and three
• 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: 9GE0/02

• Assessed: areas of study and topics two and four
• 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

• 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: fieldwork and coursework
• Assessed: define a question of issue for investigation relating to the content in the course using your own research from your fieldwork
• Assessment format: a written investigation report of 3,000 – 4,000 words which is internally assessed at your chosen examination centre and externally moderated. Before starting your coursework, y ou must complete a minimum of four days of fieldwork, which will be taken under supervision.

Is this A Level the same qualification as an A Level I would achieve at a school or college?

Yes, you will study the same course, take the same exams and get the same qualification. The only difference is that our courses are designed to be studied from home at your own pace, and you will receive full tutor support via email.

What previous knowledge do I need to enrol onto an A Level course?

We recommend that you hold at least a grade 4/C in GCSE Maths as a range of mathematical skills are needed for the completion of this course.

What is included in the cost of this A Level course?

When you enrol on this A Level course with OSC, you will receive:

• Dedicated personal tutor support with unlimited email access.
• Dedicated learner services from our learner services team.
• Course materials with learning activities.
• Assignment marking and feedback from your personal tutor.
• A predicted grade on completion of your tutor-marked assignments, if required for your university application.
• A free CV critique service and employability guide  if you’re focusing on career advancement.
• A free Student Discounts membership to save you money on your favourite brands.
• A study pack including a pen, study planner, and notebook*.
• If you choose to add exams and fieldwork to your enrolment with an A Level package, then your exam and fieldwork fees will be included. We will also handle the booking on your behalf. Otherwise, we can refer you to one of our partner exam centres located throughout the UK so you can book your exams and fieldwork yourself.

* Not included with the online study option

Is there a required reading list?

We recommend the following textbooks to help you with your studies, however, they are not essential for completion of the course:

• C Dunn, AS/A-Level Geography Student Guide 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards; Landscape systems, processes, and change (Phillip Allan 2016)
• C Dunn, AS/A-Level Geography Student Guide 2: Globalisation; Shaping Places (Phillip Allan 2016)
• V Pointon et al. Edexcel GCE Geography as Level Student Book and eBook (Edexcel Geography A Level 2016) (Edexcel 2016)
• B Digby, Geography for Edexcel A Level Year 1 and AS Student Book (OUP 2016)

Do I have to sit an exam?

Yes, in order to achieve your A Level qualification, you must complete the exams and fieldwork required by the course’s exam board. A Level exams take place during the summer exam period which typically falls in May and June each year. Fieldwork sessions and coursework will take place prior to you sitting your exams.

You can choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment with us, in which case we will book and pay for your exams for you when you are ready. Alternatively, if you choose the course-only option, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your exams and fieldwork which can be done directly with your local exam centre.

Please note: if you add on exams you will need to sit these exams in either the Coventry, Doncaster, Bolton, Wimbledon, Taunton, or St Neots (Cambridgeshire) examination centre. Your fieldwork will take place in Lincolnshire, so you must be able to travel to complete your fieldwork.

Are there any additional costs?

If you select the course-only option when enrolling on your A Level, you will need to book and pay for your exams and fieldwork directly with the exam centre yourself. We highly recommend researching your options before enrolling as costs can vary between centres. However, if you choose to add your exams and fieldwork to your enrolment, we will take care of booking and paying for them for you when you are ready.

What if I live outside the UK?

You are still able to study our A Level courses abroad, however, you must complete your fieldwork and sit your exams within the UK at an official exam centre.

What happens if I lose my course pack?

It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Student Support Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.

What if I still have questions?

That's not a problem. We want to make sure you're 100% confident about enrolling on the course and starting your study. So, just give our team of education specialists a call on 03300 563 100 and they'll do their best to help.

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A-level Geography

A-level geography online course.

Our world is incredibly complex, encompassing oceans, rainforests, mountains and deserts – it’s no wonder humankind is fascinated by the planet we inhabit. In this engaging online A-level geography course, you’ll delve into both physical and human geography, looking at humanity’s relationship with the Earth and our ongoing efforts to live sustainably.

In this A-level Geography course, you’ll get to explore the systems of different landscapes, from dry deserts to coastal systems and dynamic glaciers! This will lead you to discover the hazards the natural environment faces when ecosystems are under stress and the implications of developing urban environments and globalisation. Highly prized by employers and universities alike, A-level Geography will teach you critical research, analysis and data presentation skills.

What you will learn

Unit 1 - physical geography: hydrology, fluvial geomorphology.

• The drainage basin system
• Discharge relationships within drainage basins
• River channel processes and landforms
• The human impact

Unit 2 - Physical Geography: Atmosphere and Weather

• Diurnal energy budgets
• The global energy budget
• Weather processes and phenomena

Unit 3 - Physical Geography: Rocks and Weathering

• Plate tectonics
• Slope processes

Unit 4 - Human Geography: Population

• Natural increase as a component of population change
• Demographic transition
• Population–resource relationships
• The management of natural increase

Unit 5 - Human Geography: Migration and Settlement Dynamics

• Migration: what is it?
• Migration models
• Internal migration
• International migration
• Changes in rural settlements
• Urbanisation and changing urban settlements

Unit 6 - Physical Geography: Tropical Environments

• Tropical climates
• Tropical ecosystems
• Tropical landforms
• Sustainable management of tropical environments

Unit 7 - Physical Geography: Hazardous Environments

• Tectonic processes
• Hazardous environments resulting from mass movements
• Hazardous environments due to atmospheric disturbance
• Sustainable management in hazardous environments

Unit 8 - Human Geography: Production, Location and Change

• Agricultural systems and food production
• Management of agricultural change
• Manufacturing and related service industry
• Factors affecting industrial location
• Free Trade Zones (FTZ)
• Export Processing Zones (EPZ)
• The management of change in a manufacturing industry

Unit 9 - Human Geography: Global Interdependence

• Trade flows and trading patterns
• Factors affecting global trade
• Debt, aid, and management
• The development of international tourism
• The management of a tourist destination

Unit 10 - Preparing for the Exam: Physical Geography Paper 1 and 3

• Preparing for Paper 1 – Core Physical Geography
• Preparing for Paper 3 – Advanced Physical Geography

Unit 11 - Preparing for the Exam: Human Geography Paper 2 and 4

• Preparing for Paper 2 – Core Human Geography
• Preparing for Paper 4 – Advanced Human Geography

Awarding Body

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) is the world’s largest provider of A-level courses and GCSE courses , qualifications and exams, delivering assessments to over 8 million learners in over 170 countries.

Endorsed by

This course carries UCAS points . This means that it can be used to gain direct access to university courses and other higher education qualifications, through the UCAS system.

Course Outcome

Upon successfully completing this home learning course, you will receive the qualification: A-level Geography, issued by Cambridge International. Your certificate is identical to that issued to students at any other school, college or university. 

This syllabus ( 9696 ) has been chosen by Oxbridge because it is best suited to distance learning. 

How is this course assessed or examined?

You’ll be required to complete four standard A-level Geography written exams:

• Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes, 25% of A-level, 60 marks
• Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes, 25% of A-level, 60 marks
• Paper 3: 1 hour 30 minutes, 25% of A-level, 60 marks
• Paper 4: 1 hour 30 minutes, 25% of A-level, 60 marks

These exams contain a mixture of short and long answer questions and extended response questions. There is no field trip required for this course.

Entry requirements

A GCSE or equivalent in Geography is recommended for this course. This Geography A-level syllabus is a difficulty level three: the equivalent difficulty of an A-level or BTEC, which is usually suitable for most learners of all ages. 

Find out more about the exams .

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Wondering what to do next? There are so many options available, it's important to get the right advice. Whether your choice is to continue onto further education, go into job training or get an apprenticeship and whether your grades are high or low - there are always options! Speak to an adviser today to see how we can support you on your next steps...

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