A Level Environmental Studies course (AS & A2) Fast Track

Home study A level course in Environmental Studies. The Environmental Studies specification enables students to gain an insight into the environment, and the scientific processes that control and affect it. The central theme is the development of an understanding of how different events and cycles within the environment interrelate, how they influence subsequent environmental events, the human impacts on these events and cycles, and the strategies that can be used to minimise the problems caused.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary subject covering different branches of science and geography and there is much terminology that is associated with the subject. You are expected not only to recognise and understand these terms in examination papers, but use them correctly in your answers. If you have problems remembering terms it is a good idea to write them on index cards as you go along and use these to help you learn them.

Enrol today by calling us on 0121 2880181.

Unit 1: ENVS1 – The Living Environment

An introduction to the biodiversity of life on Planet Earth.
The reasons why the conservation of life on Earth is important are investigated, as are the methods which may be used to achieve effective conservation.

Conservation in the UK, coral reefs, Antarctica and tropical rainforests are used to develop these issues further.

‘Life Processes in the Biosphere’ allows consideration of the ecological relationships between organisms and their abiotic and biotic environments in order to understand conservation problems further and how these may be managed.

Unit 2: ENVS2 – The Physical Environment

This unit introduces the available physical resources essential to life on Earth, how humans utilise these resources and issues relating to resource over-exploitation.

Additionally, the naturally occurring resources such as atmospheric gases, water and minerals, and cycles involving them are explored. The uses, management and threats to these resources are also investigated, including global climate change, water demands and management as well as mineral exploitation.

Unit 3: ENVS3 – 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.

The properties of pollutants are considered to explain why some materials or forms of energy cause environmental damage. These issues are developed through the study of a range of atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial pollutants.

The strategies which may be used to minimise releases, treat effluents and manage the damage caused are considered. These issues allow consideration of the issues related to Units 1 and 2 which involve pollution.

Unit 4: ENVS4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability

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

Food production and forestry systems are analysed, with particular emphasis on the limiting factors affecting productivity, the environmental problems caused by these systems and the ways in which problems can be addressed.

The study of the sustainability of human lifestyles allows synoptic consideration of the other modules of the specification.

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.

No prior knowledge of the subject is required, however basic knowledge is desirable. It is recommended that students have attained GCSE or equivalent communication and literacy skills in English and numeracy skills in mathematics

Mathematical Requirements

Candidates should be familiar with:

• Arithmetic and computation
• Handling Data
• Algebra
• Graphs
• Geometry

AQA A Level Environmental Studies

AS/A2 - A level in Environmental Studies. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

Specification: AQA (Full A Level) 2440, AQA (AS) 1441 and AQA (A2) 2441 

All students have 18 months to complete this course from date of registration. On average this course is completed in 200 hours.

We recommend that students complete 4-6 hours per week as a minimum to get the most from this course. Remember to work out a study plan / timetable before you start and try and stick to it. Coursework can be completed as quickly as you want as shown below.

Course materials are provided in paper format and delivered direct to your door within 7 days of enrolment.

Recommended Reading
The core text for this course is relevant to all units of the course and should be referred to throughout:

Summary of Assessments
Unit 1: ENVS1 – The Living Environment
• 40% of AS Level
• 20% of A Level
• 1 hour written examination
• 60 marks
• five short answer questions (45 marks) and one structured question (15 marks)

Unit 2: ENVS2 – The Physical Environment
• 60% of AS Level
• 30% of A Level
• 1 hour 30 minutes written examination
• 90 marks
• eight short answer questions (75 marks) and one structured question including extended prose (15 marks).

Unit 3: ENVS3 – Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
• 25% of A Level
• 1 hour 30 minutes written examination
• 80 raw marks
• Seven compulsory short answer/structured/comprehension questions (60 marks) and one essay from a choice of three titles (20 marks).

Unit 4: ENVS4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability
• 25 % of A Level
• 2 hours written examination
• 80 raw marks
• Five compulsory short answer/structured/comprehension questions (45 marks), one compulsory data analysis question (15 marks) and one essay from a choice of three titles (20 marks).

Past Papers

Visit AQA website and download past sample exam papers click here

Exam Format
A Level Environmental Studies consists of 4 units in total:
AS Level = 2 units
A2 Level = 2 units

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

Unit 4: ENVS4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability
Written examination: 2 hours

Examination Centres

The college provides expertise support and advice for students in their studies through their comprehensive course packs and tutoring system. However, we do stress that it is the student’s responsibility to find a centre to register and take their exams with. We are aware that sometimes this is difficult or even impossible to arrange. Now we have come to an arrangement with centres in Birmingham, Bristol and Harrogate so please contact them directly for fees and a timetable. We realise this may still involve a good deal of travelling for some students but the long-term benefits of being able to gain A Levels far outweigh the short-term expense and inconvenience.

Recommended Centres

English Maths Science Tuition Centre Ltd.
40 Showell Green lane
Sparkhill
Birmingham,
B11 4JP
England
United Kingdom

Tel: 0121-771-1298

info@englishandmaths.com

http://www.englishandmaths.com/Index.php

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3A Tutors Ltd
1A High Street
Staple Hill
Bristol
BS16 5HA

Tel: 0117 9109931

Email: enquiries@3at.org.uk

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Harrogate Tutorial College
2 The Oval
Harrogate
HG2 9BA

Telephone +44(0)1423 501041

E-Mail study@htcuk.org

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Campbell Harris Tutors Ltd
185 Kensington High Street
London
W8 6SH
Telephone 020 7937 0032

Email principal@campbellharris.co.uk

Web Site http://campbellharris.co.uk/Content.asp?ID=18

Please visit AQA for exam information.

http://www.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php

The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre. From 2014 exams will be taken in June of each year. 2013 provides the final opportunity to take exams in January. There is no flexibilty to take exams at any other time. 
 

If you require any further information on this course then please call our administration team on 0121 288 0181 and we will be happy to help you as much as we can. Alternatively complete the information request form below and one of our friendly advisors will contact you.

Course Fee: Starting at: £369.00

Student can choose to pay their course fees in full upon enrolment (£369.00) or take out a pay as you study plan as follows.

Enrolment Fee	£169.00
5 x  Monthly payments	£50.00
Total Fees Payable	£419.00
Pay in full and Save	£50.00

Call our office on 0121 2880181 for guaranteed acceptance onto our pay as you study plan* (Applies to UK Students only) 

MOD Personnel can claim a 10% Reduction on fees when paying in full by quoting BFPO10 when contacting us. Proof will be required.

Exam fees not included. Any exam fees are payable direct to examination centre. You are advised to contact a centre as listed here prior to enrolment to confirm exam fees and availibilty. Click here for List

This course is provided in partnership with UKDLP (UK Distance Learning and Publishing)

If you prefer to pay via cheque please print off enrolment form PDF below and post to our head office.