Geography

There has never been a better or more important time to study A level Geography. Dealing with contemporary issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, social issues and natural hazards. A level Geography is one of the most relevant subjects you could choose to study in our changing world. Geography will support the study of sciences, especially health and social sciences, like Biology, Sociology and Psychology. It also supports university courses such as engineering, architecture and marketing. Overall Geography will provide you with a range of analytical skills which will be essential for a whole range of university courses, keeping your options open.

Structure of the course

Year 12 Unit 1- Changing Landscapes (Tectonic Hazards & Coastal Management) (2 hour exam with short answer resource based questions)

Year 12 Unit 2 - Changing Places (1 1⁄2 hour exam with short answer resource based questions) *Two days of residential fieldwork studying both human and physical concepts.

Year 13 Unit 3 - Global Systems & Global Governance.Year 13 Unit 4 - Contemporary Themes in Geography.

FAQ about the subject

How much will I get paid working in industries linked to Geography? Salaries as in any field can vary depending on their specific nature and level of management responsibilities. Most graduate positions listed above earn around £30,000 - £35,000 per year on average, where as Environmental Lawyers can earn on average £80,000 per year.

Will these types of courses and employment linked to Geography allow me to travel around the world? Of course! British industries linked to Geographical degrees are very respected around the world. Many of these types of employment are in high demand from countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Most university courses also provide opportunities to either carry out project based research or work placements all over the world.

Are there any direct links between topics studied in A level Geography and other subjects? There are many crossovers between geography and other subjects at A-level. The study of ecosystems and the Carbon/Water Cycle has close links to the Biology course, whilst the use of statistical techniques in fieldwork replicates specific numerical aspects in the Welsh Baccalaureate’s Skills Challenge as well as A level Mathematics itself. Finally the study of International Migration and Global Governance of Oceans has clear links to units in A level Politics and Sociology.

How much does Coursework contribute to the overall result? You will carry out two days of course work on a residential trip in Year 12. From this you will be asked specific questions exploring the nature of your investigations during your Unit 2 exam. You will also complete an Independent investigation as part of Unit 5 in Year 13. This will be worth 20% of your whole A level course and can

examine any aspect linked to the course. Previous pupils have investigated the impact of sports tourism on Pembrokeshire; the effectiveness of Milford Haven’s waterfront redevelopment project and also the sustainability of coastal realignment at Newgale.

Teacher Profiles

Mr Cunliffe (Assistant Learning Manager for Humanities) Bsc. Hons. Physical Geography (University of Aberystwyth)

Mrs Vaughan (Teacher of Geography & Humanities) BSc Hons Geography (University of Nottingham)