Geography

WHY SHOULD I STUDY A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY?

Geography provides you with the opportunity to develop skills in a subject which examines the dynamic environment in which we live. You will learn about people and their societies, economies, cultures and the environment.

Through fieldwork and enquiry based learning, you will investigate how the physical and human environments interact, as well as developing key skills such as essay writing, data collection and analysis, developing a hypothesis and evaluating the success of a project.

WHAT WILL I LEARN ABOUT?

Our curriculum is contemporary, covering topics such as population issues, energy provision, coastal management and river flooding. We set out to create ‘thinking geographers’ and this theme is carried through from GCSE into A-Level. You will study important issues linked to coastal management, river flooding, superpowers and regeneration to name but a few.

As well as a day trip in Year 12 to investigate coastal management, there is a three-day residential course in Year 13 during which students explore the skills associated with teamwork, field-work and hypothesis testing.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

The course is examined in three papers (2 hours 15 minutes) at the end of Year 13 and a 4,000-word Independent Investigation worth 20% of the A-Level. 

• PAPER 1: tectonic hazards, coasts, water insecurity and energy security (30%).
• PAPER 2: globalisation, regenerating places, superpowers and migration, identity, sovereignty (30%).
• PAPER 3: synoptic theme - players, attitudes, futures (30%).

WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?

You will develop the following skills: 

• The effective use of ICT.
• Working within a team.
• Written communication and research skills.
• The ability to debate.
• Problem-solving and reasoning skills.
• Flexible and creative thinking skills.
• Crucially, you will develop a broader cultural and world view.

WHERE COULD THIS SUBJECT TAKE ME IN THE FUTURE?

At degree level, Geography is well respected by employers. The key skills covered throughout the course will mean that a wide range of university courses would be accessible, including degrees in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies and Leisure and Tourism. Geographers enter a very wide range of career areas; put simply, there is no such thing as a geography job!

Geography graduates secure positions including: GIS specialists, census specialists, cartographers, surveyors, teachers and social workers.

Exam Board: Edexcel | Course Code: 9GE