Geography is literally all around us. It is the study of the world we live in at all different levels from microscopic processes, the local places we call ‘home’, the countries we are proud to belong to and the global communities we often forget we are part of. Geography is about how the world got to be like it is, how it is changing and what it will be like in the future. Geography is multidisciplinary (geographers tend to be
interested in a huge range of topics).
Geography is about issues, arguments and debates; whose side are you on? Geography is topical and relevant, just about every news event of every day will have a geographical context and issue to be explored.
There are too many employment opportunities directly connected with Geography to mention: travel industry, environment agency, hydrology, Meteorology, development agency, oceanography, retail planning, town planning, business, cartography and teaching are but a few.
Universities and employers consider the geographer’s wide area of knowledge, huge variety of skills and ability to make logical decisions as invaluable. In fact, the Russell Group Report named Geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. This is a subject most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and choosing facilitating subjects will keep more options open to you at university.
2 hours and 15 minutes
Paper 1: Physical Geography
Topics:
Tectonic Processes and Hazards
Locations at risk from tectonic hazards
Tectonic hazards versus tectonic disasters
Management of tectonic hazards and disasters
Coastal Landscapes and Change
Causes of contrasting coastal landscapes
Coastal erosion and sea level changes
Managing coastlines
The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
Processes of the water cycle
Short and long term influences on the water cycle
Causes of water insecurity
The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
The carbon cycle and a healthy planet
The consequences of increased energy demand
Links between the water, carbon and climate
2 hours and 15 minutes
Paper 2: Human Geography
Topics:
Globalisation
Causes of globalisation
Impacts of globalisation
Consequences of globalisation
Regenerating Places
How and why do places vary?
Why might regeneration be needed?
How is regeneration managed?
How successful is regeneration?
2 hours and 15 minutes
(2 hours 15 minutes, 20% of A Level)
Covers a geographical issue linking across themes from Papers 1 and 2 (synoptic themes).
(20% of A Level)
An independent investigation based on a topic of your choice linked to the course.
Students will undertake a coursework project of 4000 words. The investigation will require substantial individual study and commitment from the student as it will be completed in their own time and is 20% of the A Level.