Board: Edexcel

Why study Geography?

There has never been a better or more important time to study geography.  With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion, geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study. Geographers are also highly employable.  The subject enhances communication skills, literacy and numeracy, ICT skills, spatial awareness, team working, problem solving and environmental awareness.  Whatever your passion for the world - fascination with landscapes or concerns about inequality - geography will provide you with knowledge and transferable skills that will reward you personally and advance you professionally.

What will I learn?

At AS Level (year 1) you will study global themes, including globalisation and climate change.  You will discover how your own actions can relate to the wider world, be it your local area or a country far away.  You will study two units, Unit 1 and Unit 2:

Unit 1: Global Challenges ― In this unit you will study a range of topics such as global hazards, climate change, globalisation, global connections and managing change in megacities.

Unit 2: Geographical Investigations ― This gives you an opportunity to undertake geographical research, including fieldwork.  You will investigate two topics in depth: crowded coasts (physical geography), and rebranding urban and rural places (human geography).

At A2 Level (year 2) you will study two units, Unit 3 and Unit 4:

Unit 3 Contested Planet ― In this unit you will consider five key world issues and in the sixth topic discuss possible technological solutions to the problems identified:

Unit 4 Geographical Research ― This unit will allow you to further develop the investigative skills gained at AS level and prepare you for the demands of higher education or employment.  You will choose one topic from these six options:

AS Unit 1: Global Challenges - 6GEO1

1.5 hour written examination, including a colour resource booklet.

AS Unit 2: Geographical Investigations - 6GEO2

1 hour written examination, including a colour resource booklet.  You will be asked about your fieldwork skills in this examination.

A2 Unit 3: Contested Planet - 6GEO3

2.5 hour written examination, including pre-released resources (4 weeks in advance) and a colour resource booklet in the exam.  Part 1 of the examination will cover five of the six Unit 3 topics; Part 2 will cover the sixth topic in a synoptic context (i.e. pulling together aspects of the other five topics).

A2 Unit 4: Geographical Research - 6GEO4

1.5 hour examination, including a pre-released ‘research focus’ (4 weeks in advance). You will be asked to answer one question on the option of your choice.

Fieldwork

AS Unit 2: Geographical Investigations offers the opportunity to undertake a range of interesting and relevant fieldwork activities. Students currently participate in a four day residential fieldwork programme at the Nettlecombe Court Field Studies Council Centre in North Somerset.

The Geography Department is a member of the Geographical Association and Royal Geographical Society this entitles students to attend associated events and lectures.

What can I do after the course?

An ‘A’ Level in Geography opens doors! You will find that studying geography is a brilliant step towards a wider range of university courses and/or employment opportunities.

Further education — geographers can go on to study a wide variety of higher level courses at university ranging from earth and environmental sciences to oceanography to global change: environment, economy and development.

Employment — geographers have access to a wide range of careers, including:

For further advice concerning studying geography at university and information on the careers into which geography can take you, visit the following website: www.rgs.org

For further information about the Edexcel specification see: www.edexcel.com