What is the course about?
In this course you will study contemporary geographical issues which focus on the inter-relationship between people and their environment. You will develop your fieldwork skills, with opportunities to participate in both day visits and a residential fieldtrip at the end of the year.
For the AS level you will study:
In the AS year your study of physical geography includes rivers, flood management and coastal environments. Human geography topics include global population change and its implications for global resource management. In each area of study you will consider your own values and attitudes to the issues being studied and support your learning of ideas through the study of specific case studies.
For the A2 level you will study:
In the A2 you will continue to study a combination of human and physical geography with an emphasis on contemporary geographical issues. You examine global topics and concerns including tectonic and weather related hazards as well as issues of development and globalization, including current geographical conflicts and challenges. You will have the opportunity to undertake investigative work during fieldwork and to undertake an issue evaluation exercise.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is by two written examinations in each year. In the first year the paper on the course content contributes 70% of your marks for AS and the geographical skills paper gives 30% of your marks. It is the same format in the second year but the marks change to 60% of the total for the content paper and 40% for the skills paper.
What skills will I need and develop in this course?
You will develop a variety of geographical investigative, cartographic, graphical, ICT and statistical skills, through both fieldwork and assignment activities. You will develop a critical awareness of the appropriateness and limitations of different skills and resources and be able to apply them in an increasingly independent way. Wider skills will include undertaking research and analysis and teamwork on projects.
Subject combination advice:
Geography is recognised as both a Science and Arts A level and therefore complements a wide variety of subjects. If your particular interest is environmental geography you should consider taking science A levels (for example Biology). These give the base knowledge needed for study in fields related to the environment at the more competitive universities.
What can the course lead to in terms of higher education and future careers?
Geography is studied at degree level in both Science and Arts programmes, leading to BA and BSc degrees. This breadth makes geography a very desirable subject for a wide variety of careers, including environmental management and risk assessment, GIS applications, town and country planning, leisure and tourism management, international law and business management.
What are the formal entry requirements for this course?
Aside from the general entry criteria that the College requires, you will also need to achieve at least a Grade C in GCSE English and (if you are taking it) GCSE Geography. However it is possible to take Geography with us without having studied it at GCSE. Grade C in GCSE Maths is also advisable.
What extra support / enrichment activities are on offer?
The department usually offers a residential field trip and day visits to a range of locations. Students have the opportunity to attend lectures at the Royal Geographical Society in London and at Kingston University as well as other relevant conferences.
Should I study Geography with Geology and Environmental Studies?
It is appropriate to study Geography alongside one of these subjects but not both of them together.