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Geography

A Level

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Availability & Details

Geography - A Level HF1-GEOGAL/C01

Venue
Havant Campus

Type of study
A Levels

Dates
Academic Year 2024-25 (2 years)

Examination board
AQA Education

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Overview

If you are interested in the world around you, Geography is an ideal choice. You’ll examine the relationship between people and their environment from scientific, political, economic and social perspectives. This course looks at a variety of world issues such as climate change, natural disasters, health studies and questions of population as well as contemporary environmental and human issues. It’s an excellent choice for developing skills including IT, research (including fieldwork), analysis, evaluation and decision making.

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including a grade 5 or above in English and a grade 4 or above in Geography if taken at GCSE.

Year 1 : • Coastal systems and landscapes, including human impacts• Population and the environment • Hazards (including tectonic, storm and wildfire hazards) Year 2 :• Changing places (an entirely new topic about peoples experience of place)• Global systems and global governance (economic, social and political aspects of globalisation)• Water and carbon cycles Fieldwork investigation The topics have been chosen to include both physical and human geography so that the first year is an easier transition from GCSE.

All of our lecturers are leading subject and industry professionals. The College offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, individual activities, research projects, presentations and group discussions. Teaching is in a specialist Geography area where students have access to the variety of resources required for such a wide subject such as atlases, globes, rock samples, OS maps etc. Students work independently and in small groups. Formal teaching and small teaching groups allow discussion and debate to flourish. You will also be able to take part in an optional field trip to Iceland in the second year of the course. There are four compulsory fieldwork days required as part of the course. The two in the first year will be teacher led. These include a trip to Portsmouth city centre to assess the impact of the environment on health and a trip to West and East Wittering to collect data for a coastal project.

• Physical Geography (2 hrs 30 mins – 40%)• Human Geography (2 hrs 30 mins – 40%) There are two examinations in June in the second year. Both examinations will contain short answer data-response questions and an essay. There is a Fieldwork Investigation (20%): This is an independent piece of research on a topic related to the specification. Data can be collected in groups, but the topic and write up must be your own. The report of 3,000- 4,000 words will be marked by the teacher and externally moderated. There is also fieldwork and enrichment. Fieldwork is an essential part of the course (at least four days). Fieldwork associated with the investigation will be local, but enrichment opportunities will be offered, including overseas. Teaching is in a specialist Geography area where students have access to the variety of resources required for such a wide subject such as atlases, globes, rock samples, OS maps etc. Students work independently and in small groups. Formal teaching and small teaching groups allow discussion and debate to flourish. You will also be able to take part in an optional field trip to Iceland in the second year of the course. There are four compulsory fieldwork days required as part of the course. The two in the first year will be teacher-led. These include a trip to Portsmouth city centre to assess the impact of the environment on health and a trip to West and East Wittering to collect data for a coastal project.

Compulsory field trips will carry a small cost to cover transport and external facilities. A textbook must be purchased by each student.

A significant proportion of students go on to study Geography at degree level. However, some other progression routes have been degrees in ocean science, architecture, economics, engineering, forestry and geography, geography with Qualified Teacher Status, marine geography, international development, sport science, land economics and also employment in the Armed Forces and the travel and retail industries. This subject allows for a very varied progression route.

The College is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.


My experience at the College was great, it’s very different to school, and I think it’s a good step to going to university. The support was amazing, I loved all of my teachers, they helped me through everything. The College is friendly and you will succeed.

Heidi Adamson Brattland, A Level student

"I am delighted with my results and am really looking forward to studying Law at Oxford University. I really enjoyed my time at HSDC Alton and I really appreciate all the help and support from my fantastic teachers, without whom I wouldn't have got my place at Oxford."

Catherine Goldie, HSDC Alton A Level Student

“HSDC provided me with the opportunity for autonomous study and the choice of subjects that I wanted to study, which helped me develop relevant knowledge as well as relevant skills for the workplace.”

Lucas Ratcliffe, A Level and CTEC student