Geography

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%