Why study Geography?
Geography is a 'facilitating' subject that develops the transferable, key skills that employers are looking for; and can lead to a very wide range of employment opportunities. According to the Royal Geographical Society and Institute for Fiscal Studies say that '5 years after graduation, geography graduates have an above average likelihood of gaining employment' and for Geography graduate earnings 'women earn 10% more than average graduate salaries.'
You will investigate the forces influencing our natural environment; the issues affecting people and the places where we live; consider how people affect the environment; the forces that drive the world economy and the decisions being made about the use and management of resources. You will gain a deeper appreciation of current events and world problems during what is an exciting and intrinsically contemporary course.
Destinations for AHS students who studied this subject are on display outside the subject classrooms
AHS students can use Unifrog to explore how this subject might be used in life after A Levels
Entry Requirements
A 6 in Geography GCSE is a requirement if you have taken it. Alternatively, a 6 in another humanity GCSE.
Special features of the course
Geography A Level supports applications for almost any science-based university course, including Engineering, Medicine, Psychology and Environmental Studies. It supports an equally wide range of humanities courses such as Business, Law, Politics and Philosophy. A Level Geographers are required to undertake 4 days of fieldwork and we are looking at completing a residential course in Yorkshire to complete these fieldwork days during Year 12. This will provide skills for students to build on when they carry out their own fieldwork investigation, later in the A Level course.
How is the course organised?
In Y12 you study
Coasts
Population and the environment
Changing places
Water and carbon cycles
In Y13 you study
NEA
Global systems and global governance
Natural Hazards
Throughout the course you will develop your geographical skills, including ICT, graphical, cartographical and statistical skills, and you will become competent in collecting, analysing and interpreting a range of data, as well as critically questioning data sources.
You will also complete an independent investigation (NEA) of 3 – 4,000 words based on a question or issue that you have defined, using data you have collected.
Assessment
Component 1 Physical Geography 2½ hours 40%
Component 2 Human Geography 2½ hours 40%
Component 3 Geographical Investigation Non exam assessment 20%