WJEC A Level Geography specification (1110)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC A Level Geography exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official WJEC A Level Geography specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official WJEC A Level Geography (1110) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official WJEC specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level Geography qualification from WJEC engages learners in the dynamic interactions between physical and human environments. Emphasising real-world contexts and contemporary geographical issues, it develops critical thinking, enquiry, and analytical skills. The course integrates fieldwork and independent investigation throughout, enabling students to explore local and global systems, sustainability challenges, and spatial patterns. By combining core and optional themes, it prepares learners for further study and diverse career pathways, fostering informed citizenship and geographical understanding at multiple scales:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
Unit 1: Changing Landscapes
- Coastal or Glaciated Landscapes: systems approach to landscape formation, geomorphological processes, landforms and their temporal changes, human activity impacts, case studies
- Tectonic Hazards: structure of the Earth, plate boundaries, seismic/volcanic hazards, hazard profiles, impacts, vulnerability, and responses
Unit 2: Changing Places
- Changing Places: place meaning and identity, representations of place, demographic/economic/cultural change, rebranding in rural and urban areas, government and stakeholder responses
- Fieldwork Investigation: assessment of learners’ own physical and human geography fieldwork, based on the six-stage enquiry model
Unit 3: Global Systems and Global Governance
- Water and Carbon Cycles: global systems, feedbacks, human impacts, hydrological regimes, biomes, climate interactions
- Global Governance: migration flows, refugee crises, ocean governance, shipping networks, marine pollution, geopolitical tensions
Unit 4: Contemporary Themes in Geography
- Tectonic Hazards (compulsory): advanced hazard impacts and management strategies
- Choose two optional themes:
- Ecosystems: structure, biodiversity, threats and conservation; focus on Arctic tundra
- Economic Growth and Challenge: India, China, or Development in an African context
- Energy Challenges and Dilemmas: resources, demand, energy mix, sustainability
- Weather and Climate: global/UK systems, extreme events, climate change and mitigation
Unit 5: Independent Investigation
- Learner-defined geographical enquiry of 3000–4000 words
- Based on primary and secondary fieldwork data
- Follows six-stage enquiry structure with analysis, conclusion, and evaluation:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
AS Unit 1: Changing Landscapes
- 2h written exam; 96 marks; 24% of A Level
- Section A: choice of Coastal or Glaciated Landscapes
- Section B: Tectonic Hazards
- Structured questions with data response
AS Unit 2: Changing Places
- 1h 30m written exam; 64 marks; 16% of A Level
- Section A: Changing Places
- Section B: Fieldwork Investigation
- Structured questions on fieldwork and student investigations
A2 Unit 3: Global Systems and Global Governance
- 2h written exam; 96 marks; 24% of A Level
- Section A: Water and Carbon Cycles
- Section B: Global Governance (Migration and Oceans)
- Section C: 21st Century Challenges (synoptic essay question)
A2 Unit 4: Contemporary Themes in Geography
- 2h written exam; 64 marks; 16% of A Level
- Section A: Tectonic Hazards (extended response)
- Section B: Two optional themes (essays from chosen topics)
A2 Unit 5: Independent Investigation
- Non-exam assessment; 80 marks; 20% of A Level
- 3000–4000 word report
- Must involve field data and follow the six-stage enquiry process
- Internally assessed, externally moderated:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC A Level Geography isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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