Geography

This course is for students who want to continue studying geography after GCSE. You'll already be familiar with some of the topics, but the A level will give you the chance to study these and some new ones, in much greater depth. It's for you if you are interested in current global issues like climate change, migration and environmental degradation. You might be choosing geography because you're headed for a career in a geography related occupation though it will give you a set of skills that can be used in a whole variety of careers. For some geography related careers, it's good to have studied geography in combination with subjects like maths, chemistry, physics or biology.

6 x GSCE Grades 9-4 including Geography Grade 9-6

The course will cover physical and human geography. You'll explore the physical world, focusing on topics such as water and carbon cycles, within the context of either coastal, dryland or glaciated landscapes. Human geography will give you a chance to explore either trade, migration or human rights governance and you'll explore contemporary geographical debates such as climate change, disease, food security, oceans and tectonic hazards, globalisation, the environment or population change. You'll look at places both local and distant and compare and contrast geographical factors that influence their change and development over time. You'll learn practical fieldwork skills including research, observation, data recording, analysis and interpretation as well as methods for presenting your findings.

Through, lectures, presentations, discussions, films, case studies, individual and group project work and debates. Youll be expected to undertake private study including research, revision and homework tasks. There will be field trips and visits to organisations employing geographers, presentations from professionals using geography in their careers as well as higher education experts.

Assessment is through examinations at the end of the course. There are 3 papers covering physical systems, human interactions and geographical debates. These make up 80% of your overall grade. The remaining 20% is assessed via a 4,000-word teacher marked geography investigation report.

A Level geography will give you an excellent set of transferable skills including the ability to collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, conduct research, employ statistical methods and ICT skills. You could move on to to university to study a geography or environmental science related degree. There are opportunities to go directly into technician level employment or an apprenticeship in areas such as conservation, waste or energy management.