Yes! Your NEA is an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. Your chosen investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by you and can be relating to any part of the specification content. Your final piece of coursework will be 3,000-4,000 words long and is worth 20% of your overall A level.

As a degree subject, geography is highly respected by employers. Geography graduates have one of the highest rates of graduate employment, pursuing a wide range of career paths. It’s often said that there is no such thing as a geography job; rather there are multiple jobs that geographers do.

Employers seek a mixture of skills, qualifications and experience when they recruit for a post. The transferable skills you will develop whilst studying geography will make you in demand as a graduate.

You will also be in demand for the specific skills and understanding that being a geographer helps you to develop, including:

• Scientific and lab skills

• Producing and interpreting maps

• Research and interpretation of data, including GIS skills

• Debate and enquiry

• Environmental and social awareness

• Team-based project work

• Fieldwork techniques

Jobs that directly relate to a geography degree:

• Cartographer

• Commercial/residential surveyor

• Environmental consultant

• Geographical information systems officer

• Planning and development surveyor

• Secondary school teacher

• Town planner

Jobs where a geography degree would be useful:

• Astronomer

• International aid/development worker

• Landscape architect

• Logistics and distribution manager

• Market researcher

• Nature conservation officer

• Political risk analyst

• Sustainability consultant

• Tourism officer

• Transport planner