Geography a level

I want to do geography a level but I haven't done it for gcse since we did not get a choice. I'm doing quite well in English and maths and have done a bit of geo in Yr 7 and 8 (tectonic plates n stuff) but I don't know if I would be allowed to do a level. If ur asking why I want to do geography it's cuz I'm quite good at those kinds of subjects and my only other substitute would be maths and I hate maths- I'm also failing terribly.

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by viščiukas

There's a bit of a conflict in your post: on one hand you are saying you are doing quite well in English and Maths, but then you say you hate maths and are failing terribly.

A Level Geography is half science and half art. The science (physical geography) would be topics such as climate, coast, and glaciation. The art (human geography) include population and urbanology. If you are doing well in English, you would probably lean more towards human geography.

Do note that Geography at A Level would be very different to that at Year 7 and 8; for one it's a lot more detailed and have a lot more essays. You would be expected to do your own field study, and you would be expected to know a lot about research techniques. It's the sort of subject where if you didn't score grades 7-9 at GCSE, you might have a bit of trouble at A Level.

I would recommend picking up an A Level geography textbook and see if you can handle the content. With content, it is as it is; if you can understand the material at face value and can read a lot of it, you should be fine. If you struggle or find it difficult, then you might have a difficult time with it.

I would also check to see how picking Geography A Level would affect your choices at uni and on apprenticeships. If it doesn't affect your degree of choice, then by all means. If it does, then I would prioritise picking the subjects you need over the subjects that you would like to do.

Reply 2

dana21x

Original post by viščiukas

i chose geography alevel after not doing it for GCSE and honestly as long as you genuinely enjoy the subject (i suggest looking at the spec of the exam board your school follows to see the topics they cover) you will be fine. That being said i also do business and economics which help alot on the human side so your other alevel choices can impact how you find the overall course, many people in my class also take biology which has given them a boost in the physical side of the course when looking at the carbon cycle and ocean health etc

Reply 3

viščiukas

Original post by MindMax2000

There's a bit of a conflict in your post: on one hand you are saying you are doing quite well in English and Maths, but then you say you hate maths and are failing terribly.
A Level Geography is half science and half art. The science (physical geography) would be topics such as climate, coast, and glaciation. The art (human geography) include population and urbanology. If you are doing well in English, you would probably lean more towards human geography.
Do note that Geography at A Level would be very different to that at Year 7 and 8; for one it's a lot more detailed and have a lot more essays. You would be expected to do your own field study, and you would be expected to know a lot about research techniques. It's the sort of subject where if you didn't score grades 7-9 at GCSE, you might have a bit of trouble at A Level.
I would recommend picking up an A Level geography textbook and see if you can handle the content. With content, it is as it is; if you can understand the material at face value and can read a lot of it, you should be fine. If you struggle or find it difficult, then you might have a difficult time with it.
I would also check to see how picking Geography A Level would affect your choices at uni and on apprenticeships. If it doesn't affect your degree of choice, then by all means. If it does, then I would prioritise picking the subjects you need over the subjects that you would like to do.