AS/A Level Geography


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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We are absolutely buzzing that you are interested in expanding your global understanding through studying A Level Geography at Gateshead College.

Our teaching style can be described as creative and collaborative.

So, we hope that you like building model drainage basins from refuse and creating cities from Lego!

We will work together, for six hours each week, to study the AQA specification (further details can be found in the sections below).

Further to this, we love getting out in the real world. With ‘The Ouseburn’ and the North East coast being two of our favourite local haunts to explore!

In terms of giving you the ‘Employment Edge’, we will link in with local organisations such as the National Trust, the Geographical Association, and local Universities to see how the study of Geography applies to the real world.

These links will be sure to make you stand out from the crowd when applying for University, apprenticeships, or employment in the future.

Geography is an amazing subject as it combines the arts and sciences to provide a holistic view of the dynamic world we live in. We will study three mandatory modules across the programme:

  • Changing places (Our favourite module!)
  • Global systems and global governance
  • Water and carbon cycles

We will then choose from the following modules as a group. This is decided using a career focussed discussion and a democratic vote:

  • Coastal systems and landscapes
  • Contemporary urban environments
  • Ecosystems under stress
  • Glacial systems and landscapes
  • Hazards
  • Hot desert systems and landscapes
  • Population and the environment
  • Resource security

These modules will also be underpinned by Geographical Skills and Geographical Fieldwork:

  • Geographical skills include statistics, graphs, cartography, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This element means that a very good maths basis is required (see entry requirements below).
  • Geographical fieldwork can vary year on year. However, you are guaranteed at least 4 days fieldwork across your programme.

As above, we love getting out in the real world. With ‘The Ouseburn’ and the North East coast being two of our favourite local haunts to explore!

For full details on any of these modules, please see the AQA A Level Geography specification on their website.

Required Entry Qualifications

In order to study A-levels with us, all students need to obtain a strong GCSE grade profile, averaging 6 x Grade 6s.

Individual subjects will also have their own specific requirements. In Geography, you will be expected to have:

  • Grade 6 in Geography (Although, if you have not studied GCSE geography in the past we are happy to discuss this)
  • Grade 6 in English (This is due to the large number of essay responses required and coursework element of assessment.)
  • Grade 6 in Maths (This is due to the statistics, graphs, and cartography elements of the programme)

However, if you do not meet this profile, please still come to one of our enrolment events to discuss all of your options with a member of our A-level team.

After all those lessons, the independent learning, and exciting fieldwork it is time to show what you know!

At the end of year one, you will sit the AQA AS exams. These are two exam papers which will test your knowledge gained in the first year. We think AS exams are excellent as they track your progress and keep your exam skills up to date between GCSE and A Level.

The exam papers are:

  • Physical geography and people and the environment
    This is worth 50% of your AS Level
  • Human geography and geography fieldwork investigation
    This is worth 50% of your AS Level

Following this, the second year is assessed by a combination of exams and coursework.

The exam papers are:

  • Physical Geography
    This is worth 40% of your A Level
  • Human Geography
    This is worth 40% of your A Level

This leaves 20% to come from your coursework.

This really is the exciting bit, as you will choose, carry out, and write up your own Geographical research investigation based on your own area of interest.

Past studies by Gateshead College students have explored everything from the Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on football stadiums to Sand dune development in Northumberland.

Hi! I am Amy, the Geography teacher here at Gateshead College.

My academic interests are largely grounded in social geography. I am passionate about tackling inequality, promoting inclusion, and celebrating diversity. Although, I love all aspects of the subject; and geek out on everything from maps to rainforests!

My educational back ground includes:

  • Human Geography at Northumbria University
  • A post-graduate certificate in education with Geography
  • A masters in Education with a specialism in Gender Diversity, supporting Social and Emotional Mental Health, and Popular Culture Pedagogy

Additionally, I am a committee member on the local branch of the Geographical Association.

This means that I am constantly up to date with the latest Geographical happenings.

Finally, I am an examiner for AQA A Level Geography, so you are definitely in safe hands!

I look forward to meeting you!

Amy Girdlestone BA (Hons) PGCE MaEd

‘I enjoy studying Geography as it helps me to understand the world we live in. I particularly enjoy the human aspects, as it links really well with my other A Level subjects.

My favourite part of this year has been the visits to ‘The Ouseburn’ area of Newcastle to carry out research into our local case study.

Completing A Level Geography enables me to access many different university degrees and career paths as it has so many connections beyond the subject itself!’

People who study Geography at A Level and wish to take their study in this field further often go on to study a BA in Geography or one aspect of it such as:

  • Human Geography
  • Physical Geography
  • Environmental Studies
  • Marine Studies.

It is also a subject that is popular as a joint-honours course because of the wide range of topics that it covers.

For example universities advertise courses in:

  • Geography & Anthropology
  • Geography & Archaeology
  • Geography & Politics
  • Geography & Physical Education
  • Geography & Business Management
  • Geography & Education.

There are many careers that are based on an excellent knowledge of geography such as:

  • Cartography
  • Jobs to do with the environment including conservation and sustainability
  • Town and transport planning
  • Creating and using geographical information systems
  • International relations
  • Development and tourism.

Geography teaching is also a popular career and is currently one of seven priority subjects which means that there is extra financial and other support for people training to teach in this area.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN AS/A LEVEL GEOGRAPHY?

  • Estate Agents and Auctioneers
  • Precision Instrument Makers and Repairers
  • Legal Associate Professionals
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistants
  • Teachers of English as a Foreign Language

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Median Salary

£22,474

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Median Salary

£36,248

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Median Salary

£24,228

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Median Salary

£21,718

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Foreign Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Median Salary

£37,121

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

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