Subject: Geography

Examination Board: Edexcel

Controlled Assessment: 20%

Examination: 80%

Specific entry requirements: Grade in GCSE Geography, and a grade 6-6- in GCSE Combined Science Dual Awardor two grade 6 from any two GCSE separate science subjects.

What will you study?

In Year 12 you will study:

1. Regenerating places

• How and why do places vary?

• Why might regeneration be needed?

• How is regeneration managed?

• How successful is regeneration?

2. Health, human rights and intervention

• What is human development, and why do levels vary from place to place?

• Why do human rights vary from place to place?

• How are human rights used as arguments for political and military intervention?

• What are the outcomes of geopolitical interventions in terms of human development and human rights?

3. Tectonic processes and hazards 

• Why are some locations more at risk from tectonic hazards?

• Why do some tectonic hazards develop into disasters?

• How successful is the management of tectonic hazards and disasters?

4. Globalisation

• What are the causes of globalisation and why has it accelerated in recent decades?

• What are the impacts of globalisation for countries, different groups of people and cultures and the physical environment?

• What are the consequences of globalisation for global development and the physical environment, and how should different players respond to its challenges?

In Year 13 you will study:

1. Coastal landscapes and change

• Why are coastal landscapes different and what processes cause these differences?

• How do characteristic coastal landforms contribute to coastal landscapes?

• How do coastal erosion and sea level change alter the physical characteristics of  coastlines and increase risk?

• How can coastlines be managed to meet the needs of all players?

2. The water cycle and water insecurity

• What are the processes operating within the hydrological cycle from global to local scale?

• What factors influence the hydrological system over short and long term timescales?

• How does water insecurity occur and why is it becoming such a global issue for the twenty-first century?

3. The carbon cycle and energy security

• How does the carbon cycle operate to maintain plenary health?

• What are the consequences for people and the environment of our increasing demand for energy?

• How are the carbon and water cycles linked to the global climate system?

4. Superpowers

• What are superpowers and how have they changed over time?

• What are the impacts of superpowers on the global economy, political systems and the physical environment?

• What spheres of influence are contested by superpowers  and what are the implications of this.

What Super Curricular opportunities are there linked to this subject?

• Virtual lectures from Royal Holloway University

• Coastal fieldwork - residential

• Two day visit to Shoreditch to carry out NEA primary research

• Regeneration visits to Battersea Power Station and Coal Drops Yard

• Visit to Chelsea Waterfront and the opportunity to view multi-million pound residences and discuss career opportunities in construction and engineering

• Projects with the Chelsea Physic Garden 

What can this course lead to?

Students can progress to a range of science related courses, including Geography, Geology, Environmental and Natural Sciences. Geography, when taken alongside other sciences or Mathematics, can lead to pure science degree courses or medical courses. A Level Geography develops a wide range of transferable skills, in particular independent research skills, analytical thinking and problem solving which are beneficial for both further study and employment. Jobs that people commonly do with a geography qualification include working in environmental consultancy, as architects as well as for international agencies such as the IMF. People with geography based qualifications often also go on to careers such as international aid workers, or in journalism or politics.