Fieldwork requirements

Fieldwork is a compulsory component of the AQA A-Level Geography course, accounting for 20% of the overall assessment through the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) and contributing to Paper 1 and Paper 2 exam questions. It requires you to design, conduct, and evaluate geographical investigations in both physical and human environments. This hands-on experience is crucial because it develops your ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world settings, collect and analyse primary data, and critically reflect on methodologies—skills that are highly valued in both higher education and careers.

The fieldwork requirements are structured around four key stages: planning (including risk assessment and pilot studies), data collection (using appropriate sampling strategies and techniques), data presentation (using maps, graphs, and statistical analysis), and analysis and conclusion (linking findings to geographical theory and evaluating limitations). You must complete at least two days of fieldwork, covering both physical and human geography. This topic is not just about ticking boxes; it's about understanding how geographers investigate the world, from coastal processes to urban regeneration.

Mastering fieldwork requirements is essential for achieving high marks in your NEA and exam questions. It teaches you to think like a geographer—questioning data reliability, considering ethical implications, and recognising the provisional nature of geographical knowledge. By the end of this topic, you should be confident in justifying your choice of location, sampling method, and data presentation technique, and be able to critically evaluate the validity of your findings.