Geography

What is Geography?

In today’s rapidly changing world the role of Geography is of paramount importance. We inhabit a dynamic world facing many challenges.  Geographers develop an understanding of the causes, consequences, and management of local to global issues in both human and physical environments.

What will I study?

The study of A-level Geography is divided into physical and human topics.

At the beginning of the first year, you will study physical geography with Water & Carbon Cycles, whilst for human geography you will study Changing Places.

At the end of the first year and into the second year, you will study physical geography with Hazards and Glacial Systems & Landscapes, whilst for human geography you will study Global Systems & Global Governance, and Population & the Environment.

In addition, during the first year of the course, you will be required to undertake a ‘Geography fieldwork investigation’; a piece of fieldwork data-based coursework that you will design, collect, present and analyse data, and draw conclusions.

In studying the above, you will develop evaluative essay writing skills, and analytical data and numeracy skills.

Assessments

There are 2 exams at the end of the course:

Component 1: Physical geography

What’s assessed

• Section A: Water and carbon cycles
• Section B: Glacial systems and landscapes
• Section C: Hazards

Component 2: Human geography

What’s assessed

• Section A: Global systems and global governance
• Section B: Changing places
• Section C: Population and the environment

How it is assessed

Both Component 1 and Component 2:

• Written exam for each component: 2 hours 30 minutes each
• 120 marks for each exam (composed of a mixture of short answer 4- to 9-mark knowledge and data response, and 20-mark essays)
• 80% of the A-level is assessed via these two exams

Trips, visits and enrichments:

In the first year, you will be required to undertake local based fieldwork days, aimed at developing primary data collection skills to equip you with the knowledge to plan and collect your own data for the completion of the Independent Investigation.

In the second year you will visit a National Nature Reserve peat bog to develop your knowledge and understanding of the Water & Carbon Cycle topic.

Studying Geography will entitle you to participate in the international earth science trips. We have visited Iceland on many occasions to study Hazards, and Glacial systems & Landscapes.

We have also run trips further afield to locations including India, Kenya, USA and Costa Rica.

The geography staff have previously been involved in the enrichment activity ‘Operation Wallacea’, a biodiversity and climate research organisation which runs field expeditions enabling A-level students gain experience of working with published scientists in locations around the world.

What can it lead to?

Due to the wide range of transferable skills that studying Geography develops, geographers are very employable and can lead to a diverse range of career opportunities.

Former students work as environmental impact officers, conservation officers, ecologists, flood protection managers, climate and location analysts, urban regeneration planners, surveyors, and heritage managers.