Geography (AS/A level)

Specific Entry Criteria

Grade C in English Language plus a C in Geography if studied at GCSE. If Geography was not studied at GCSE, then a grade C in another traditional Humanities subject is desirable.

About the Subject

Geography is a subject grounded in the real world, primarily investigating how humans interact with their physical and human environments. Whilst studying Geography students develop very useful transferable skills such as the ability to research independently, collect and analyse data, undertake practical fieldwork, make presentations, debate topics and work effectively as part of a team. Geography is also a useful subject for a wide range of possible future careers including pollution analyst, disaster manager, lawyer and weather presenter to name but a few.

Course Content

Year 1

This year is divided into two units. Unit 1 is entitled Physical and Human Geography. Principally it is a foundation unit that gives a student the background they need to be able to take their study of Geography to a much greater depth over the two years of the A level course. The core physical section covers River Processes and Coastal Management. The core human section considers the issues of Population Change, Migration and Settlements and the optional unit focuses on Energy Issues and Resources. The first unit of the course allows the student to develop a breadth of knowledge that will feed into succeeding modules. This module accounts for 70% of the AS mark and 35% of the total A2 result.

Unit 2 focuses on the fieldwork skills that a student needs to develop as a ‘Geographer’. Throughout the course a wide variety of fieldwork options (ranging from local to international visits) will be offered that the potential student can then write about in the exam.

The paper focuses specifically on the experiences of the students over the first year of study and the types of topics considered mirror the subject areas covered in the first module of the course. Students are allowed to select which fieldwork experience they wish to write about. The paper is worth 30% of AS or 15% of the full A Level. It is a 1 hour written examination.

Year 2

Unit Three will focus on a range of topics that includes Tectonics, World Cities, Development and Globalisation, and Ecosystems. This module particularly focuses on Geographical Issues in the ‘future’ that will need to be faced by a growing global population with potentially diminishing resources. The context of the module is the need to manage our environments for future generations. This exam paper is worth 30% of the full A Level. It is a 2 hour 30 minutes written examination with structured short and extended questions, plus an essay.

Unit Four will ask students to further analyse their fieldwork skills which are then written up in the exam. This exam paper is worth 20% of the full A Level. The paper is a 1 hour 30 minutes written examination with questions based on fieldwork undertaken or pre-release material depending on the option chosen.

Assessment

The assessments are different for every unit and designed to test a range of skills. Units will be examined in June in each academic year with the opportunity to re-sit in January of the second year.