Environmental Studies A' Level (Full AS + A2) Course

Unit 1: The Living Environment

An introduction to the biodiversity of life on Planet Earth.

Unit 2: The Physical Environment

Physical resources such as atmospheric gases, water and mineral nutrients are essential for life on Earth. Humans exploit and manage physical resources to provide higher material living standards. The use of many of these resources is unsustainable.

Unit 3: Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution

Future problems of energy supply and how these may be resolved are investigated through the study of the energy resources which are available for use.

Unit 4: Biological Resources and Sustainability

The factors controlling human population growth are considered in relation to the demands placed upon the planets resources and life-support systems.

How Science Works

An understanding of How Science Works is a requirement. How Science Works is an underpinning set of concepts and is the means whereby students come to understand how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world about us. Moreover, How Science Works recognises the contribution scientists have made to their own disciplines and to the wider world.

Course Assessments

The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. We call these Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs). You need only send the TMAs to your tutor for comment, not the self-assessment exercises which are also part of the course to help you gauge your progress.

Exams are taken at an AQA centre and we can provide an extensive list of centres for you.

AS Level

Unit 1: ENVS1 The Living Environment
Written examination: 1 hour

Unit 2: ENVS2 The Physical Environment
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

A2 Level

Unit 3: ENVS3 Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes