What will you do on this course?
Students will study a balance of human and physical options. The Geography course is engaging, intellectually stimulating and relevant to the ‘real world’. It is designed to highlight key global issues which young adults are likely to encounter in their current and future lives. Geography is a subject which develops knowledge, helping students to make informed decisions, develop empathy and awareness and be sensitive to a wide range of viewpoints and challenges.
The syllabus is concept, issues, and process based, and enables students to address topics which suit their interests and locality but also to develop transferrable skills, valuable in further education and today’s world of work.
In Human Geography the students will study four units of work; Globalisation and Regeneration in Year 12 before moving on to Superpowers and Health, Human Rights and Intervention in Year 13.
In Physical Geography students will study a further four units; Tectonic Processes and Hazards and Coastal Landscapes and Change in Year 12 before moving on to The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity and The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security in Year 13.
Fieldwork is also a valued and exciting part of the course and forms the scope for completing the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). Students are required to complete four days of fieldwork, including a three day residential at the coast and a day visit to Bristol’s Harbourside and Temple Quarter. Both visits will expose students to elements of human and physical research and data collection and will forge the basis for the completion of the NEA, which is a 3000 – 4000 word report.
How will you be assessed?
At the end of Upper Sixth, students will sit three exams:
Paper 1: Physical Geography, 30%
Paper 2: Human Geography, 30%
Paper 3: A synoptic investigation based on a geographical issue, 20%
Non-Examined Assessment: Independent investigation, 20%
What could this course lead to?
Students undertaking this course will be well- equipped to move into an extensive range of higher education courses in addition to Geography. While many courses may not make use of specific geographical knowledge, Geography is seen as a facilitating subject as it develops many skills. Presentation of data, analysis and interpretation of information, application and interpretation of statistical skills are all developed throughout the A Level course. Geographers are very skilful people which make them very desirable in the world of work.
“Geography…least likely to be unemployed, only 7.4% were out of a job” – The Guardian News.
What syllabus do you follow?
Edexcel A Level Geography