A Level Geography Specification CCEA

CCEA offer A Level geography as a modular exam with six separate modules altogether, three of which are sat in June of Year 13 (the Advanced Subsidiary or AS) and the remaining three in June of Year 14 (the A2).
SUMMARY OF EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Teaching and LearningModule Unit Nature and Assessment Assessment weighting
Module 1: Themes in Physical Geography AS-1 60min external exam 17.5% of A Level 35% of AS
Module 2: Themes in Human Geography AS-2 60min external exam 17% of A level 35% of AS
Module 3: Techniques in Geography AS-3 60min external exam 15% of A Level30% of AS
Module 4: Physical Processes and Human Interactions A2-1 90min external exam 15% of A Level
Module 5: Process and Issues in Human Geography. A2-2 90min external exam 15% of A Level
Module 6: Skills and Decision Making in Geography.. A2-3 120 min external exam 20% of A Level

One important change in this new A Level, which makes it different from the GCSE is that there is no project!
Instead there are two modules which examine fieldwork skills and techniques and therefore requires candidates to have undertaken first hand data collection in the field. That is why the residential experience will be of enormous importance in year 13.
FIELDWORK RESIDENTIAL
In order to satisfy the demands of module 3, the geography department usually takes a two day residential to the Glens of Antrim staying in the boarding accommodation of the Garron Tower. Here we carry out a river study, coastal study, mountain ecosystem study and a shopping survey in Ballymena. The information gathered from this experience will be summarised on to two A4 pages and brought into the exam for module 3.
Module 1 Themes in Physical Geography
An AS module requiring the study of process and features in river environments, ecosystems and the atmosphere. This module also requires study of how rivers effect people e.g. flooding.
Module 2 Themes in Human Geography
The topics of study in this module are population, settlement and development. We also study how people effect and the natural environment.
Module 3 Techniques in Geography
In this module candidates will be required to plan an investigation and to collect data from primary sources. They will bring to an examination a summary report describing their planning, aims and data collection techniques. This should be up to 750 words in length and must be accompanied by a table of data, which candidates may be asked to present, analyse, interpret and evaluate using a range of techniques from the list provided in the specification.
Module 4 Physical Process and Human Interpretations
This A2 module will require candidates to choose and study two optional units from four. The optional units are intended to be a progression from the topics studied in Module 1. They have the following titles:
* Unit A Managing Fluvial and Coastal Environments
Unit B The Nature and Vulnerability of Tropical Ecosystems
Unit C Pollution and its Management
* Unit D Natural Hazards and Human Activity

Module 5 Processes and Issues in Human Geography
This A2 module will require candidates to choose and study two optional units from four. The optional units are intended to be a progression from the topics studied in Module 2. They have the following titles:
* Unit A Impact of Population Change
* Unit B Issues in Ethnic Diversity
Unit C Planning for Sustainable Settlements
Unit D The Changing Nature of Economic Activity

Module 6 Skills and Decision Making in Geography
An A2 module in two sections. Section A will require candidates to have experience of fieldwork and the skills associated with it, and in Section B candidates undertake decision making exercise. They will be required to consider alternative choices and to make and justify recommendations. No formal study is required for this module, except practising skills and techniques throughout year 14.
Career Implications and Opportunities
There are many careers open to geographers. Some will use geography directly e.g.; teaching, surveying, town and country planning and cartography. Other career opportunities will arise by virtue of the trained mind or skills geographers have acquired within the discipline, for example: architecture, personnel management, environmental health, engineering, landscape design and tourism. Geography involves many decision-making situations and processes which later become everyday requirements for people in administration and management.
Geography is also unique in that it spans the science/arts divide thus avoiding over specialisation in one or the other. This is pertinent considering that employers are increasingly interested in people with a broad general education.
(* Units which we study)