In the News

A Level Geography Entries on the Rise, But AS Has Few Fans

Jim Riley

17th July 2017

The latest A Level entry data from summer 2017 suggests that A Level Geography is an increasingly popular option. However, in common with the experience of reformed A Levels in earlier waves, the AS qualification has found few fans.

Entries for A Level Geography (Year 13) grew by 1,900 candidates (5.8%).

However entries for the first sitting of the decoupled AS Geography qualification were just 23,600, well below the number of candidates who sat legacy units in 2016 (50,450).

Amongst the factors being cited by centres for not adopting the decoupled AS Geography qualification are:

  • Schools opting for a genuinely two-year linear approach (relying on internal end of Yr12 assessment)
  • The need to significantly cut costs (AS entries are a big drain on centre funds)
  • Centres encouraging students to take three, not four subjects from the start of Year 12

Jim Riley

Jim co-founded tutor2u alongside his twin brother Geoff! Jim is a well-known Business writer and presenter as well as being one of the UK's leading educational technology entrepreneurs.

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