Geography
Why study Geography?
GCSE Geography at Marylebone is a relevant and rigorous course which enables our students to investigate the world around them and consider their role within it. Students explore a diverse range of Human and Physical Geography topics, for example the effects of climate change on countries and regions, the causes and consequences of urbanisation and the power of rivers and glaciers in shaping our landscapes.
Over the 2 year course, students develop a range of skills which are prized by employers. These skills include analysing geographical data, statistical testing, Geographical Information Systems, fieldwork, research, critical thinking, teamwork, communication and the ability to connect information from their studies to the 'real' world around them.
The latest World Economic Forum (WEF) Future of Jobs report says that employers are looking for people who are capable of complex problem solving. Geography certainly develops this skill as students are challenged to explore and evaluate a range of strategies to make the world more sustainable.
The GCSE course provides insights into a range of careers linked to Geography, for example:
government decision makers who aim to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions
urban planners who design functional spaces that meet the diverse needs of a community
international organisations who seek to reduce the development gap in an increasingly globalised world.
"A knowledge of Geography is an essential tool in understanding the enormously consequential and dizzyingly rapid changes our planet is going through. Geography is the one subject that looks at the whole story".
Sir Michael Palin, former President of the Royal Geographical Society.
Click on the links below to hear from a range of people who studied Geography at university and listen to the diversity of their careers.
Speaker 1: Renewable energy asset manager
Speaker 2: Sustainability officer
Speaker 3: Environmental entrepreneur
Explore other Geography related career profiles here:
Royal Geographical Society The huge range of roles listed here showcase the interdisciplinary nature of Geography as a subject, and that the skills you use when studying at school are attractive to a wide range of professions.
Prem Gill is a Polar Conservationist working with The Scott Polar Research Institute, the WWF and the British Antarctic Survey.
Watch to find out more about where Geography can take you!
Marylebone alumni video HB.movListen to Harley, one of our Alumni, talk about how Geography prepared her for university and beyond
GCSE students talking about Geography.mp4Listen to Abi, Anna and Tilly talk about what they've enjoyed most about studying GCSE Geography
GCSE Geography students talking about the importance of Geography and the skills they've developed.mp4Listen to Clara and Tabassum talk about the importance of Geography and the skills they've developed at GCSE
Looking ahead:
Geography graduates gain great satisfaction from their studies and have one of the lowest levels of unemployment (Higher Education Statistics Authority).
Top careers for our recent Marylebone Geography graduates include:
cartographer
corporate social responsibility advisor
commercial/residential surveyor
environmental consultant
geographical information systems officer
planning and development surveyor
urban planner
secondary school teacher.
22% of Geography graduates in 2017 went on to find employment as business, human resources and finance professionals (Success at School).
Apprenticeships at post 18 level are a growing area in Geography related subjects. There are a variety of apprenticeships you can apply for if you've studied Geography. You could:
apply your fieldwork and research skills as an archaeological technician
work in construction as a building services design technician
work as a crop technician in the agricultural sector
help organisations become increasingly sustainable as a junior energy manager
work as a maritime operations officer
apply your geographical skills as a geospatial mapping and science specialist.
Labour market information:
Employers prize the knowledge and skills that Geography provides. These skills are increasingly in demand across a range of sectors which means that Geography prepares students for the workplace of the future.
We are likely to see a decline in the number of manual jobs in the future as automation continues. Geographers need not fear as roles that require analytical and critical thinking, communication and teamwork will continue to be important.
Below are just a few examples of emerging roles that geographers will be equipped for:
Ariel or underwater robot operator: drones are increasingly being used to survey disaster zones while remotely operated underwater vehicles are being deployed to map the deepest parts of the oceans. You could become an operator of one of these new technologies.
Travel and tourism technology specialist: new technology will also appear within this sector and you could help companies adapt so they can utilise this technology to its full potential.
Data analyst: we are constantly exploring the world around us to gain a better understanding of its complex relationships. As we explore, more data is generated and we need skilled specialists to manage this 'big data'. You could collect and analyse 'big data' like climate data.
Here are some links to key geographical resources that the department recommends:
AQA GCSE Geography specification
BBC Radio Four: Costing the earth
Wideworld magazine
'Factfulness' by Hans Rosling
'Prisoners of Geography' by Tim Marshall
'No One Is Too Small To Make a Difference' by Greta Thunberg
Women of Influence - Speaker Talk
Hear from Professor Patricia Daley, Vice Principal - Equality and Diversity - Jesus College, Oxford.
Professor Daley is a Jamaican British human geographer and academic, specialising in forced migration, political ecology, and Africa.
Are there Apprenticeship pathways using my passion for & skills developed in Geography?
Of course, at all levels and across a multitude of disciplines. Take a look at the video linked on the icon displayed and explore the Amazing Apprenticeship Website for more information.
