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A-Level

Geology

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Exam Board

Eduqas (WJEC)

Entry Requirements

We have no specific entry requirements for geology.

Assessment

  • 100% Exams
About this course An introduction to Geology Pathways Information

What is Geology?

Geology is a detective story in which you get to unravel how our planet works, gain an insight into billions of years of Earth’s history, and discover the possible futures in store for our planet.

 

What will I study?

Over the two-year course you will learn how to identify and interpret minerals, rocks, fossils, and geological structures; how rocks form and deform through the study of plate tectonics; and how to interpret past climates using evidence. You will also study how natural resources form and how we extract them, as well as various geo-hazards and how we can mitigate them.

 

Assessments

The WJEC-Eduqas A-Level in Geology is a linear course with final exams at the end of two years. The course provides the knowledge and understanding required to study Earth Science at university, or to better understand the landscape around us. You will undertake practical work as part of the specification to achieve the Practical Endorsement Standard, highly respected by university science-based courses. Fieldwork is one of the attractions of Geology and a minimum of 4 days is spent on compulsory fieldwork. This includes a compulsory residential trip (bursary students may be given assistance towards costs).

The course is assessed by three examinations:

Component 1: Geological Investigations, 2 hours 15 minutes, 35% of qualification

Component 2: Geological Principles and Processes, 1 hour 45 minutes, 30% of qualification

Component 3: Geological Applications, 2 hours, 35% of qualification

 

Trips, visits and enrichments

  • Local day trips to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
  • A compulsory UK residential trip to Dorset or the Lake District
  • International trips (optional); past trips have included Iceland, Costa Rica, USA, Himalayas

 

What can it lead to?

Many of our students go on to study Geology at university, leading to careers as Geoscientists, who are in demand to search for natural energy and mineral resources and study global climate change. Career sectors include engineering geology, hydrogeology, environmental geology & contaminated land, petroleum, managing natural hazards, mining & quarrying, and palaeontology.

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Apply for a place

If you wish to apply for a place at King Ed’s for September 2025, use this link to access our application portal. We look forward to hearing from you.

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