Board: Edexcel
What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course? There are no formal requirements for the GCE in Geography. However, you will benefit from having an interest in the world around you, be it curiosity about how a landscape has formed, or an interest in how a community might be affected by multinational corporations. You need to be prepared to leave the classroom and see for yourself what is going on!
What will I learn? The world we live in is rapidly changing. Geography allows you to see why and how it is changing. It can enhance communication skills, literacy and numeracy, IT literacy, spatial awareness, team working, problem solving and environmental awareness.
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 and Future Global Challenges. Unit 2: Geographical Investigations - This gives you an opportunity to undertake geographical research, including fieldwork. You will investigate two topics in depth, one of Extreme Weather or Crowded Coasts (physical geography), and one of Unequal Spaces or Rebranding Places (human geography).At A2 level (year 2) you will learn how the world is contested and develop practical research skills in your chosen area. 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:| - Energy Security | - Superpower Geographies |
| - Water Conflicts | - Bridging the Development Gap |
| - Biodiversity Under Threat | - The Technological Fix? |
| - Tectonic Activity and Hazards | - Pollution and Human Health at Risk |
| - Cold Environments | - Consuming the Rural Landscape |
| - Life on the Margins: the food supply problem | - The World of Cultural Diversity |
How will I be assessed?
AS (Year 1) – two units:
Unit 1: Global Challenges - 6GEO1 1.5 hour written examination, including a colour Resource Booklet
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.
| Unit 1: Global Challenges | Unit 2: Geographical Investigations |
| 1 ½ hour exam | 1 hour exam |
| 30% of A Level | 20% of A Level |
A2 (Year 2) - two further units:
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).
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.
| Unit 3: Contested Planet | Unit 4: Geographical Research |
| 2 ½ hour exam | 1 ½ hour exam |
| 30% of A Level | 20% of A Level |
Fieldwork
In Year 1, Unit 2: Geographical Investigations offers the opportunity to undertake fieldwork activities. Students participate in local fieldwork days in Gloucestershire. Residential fieldwork is undertaken at a Field Study 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.
In Year 2, Unit 4: Geographical Research also offers opportunities for fieldwork; you will not be asked directly about fieldwork in your exam but it may help you when discussing your research.
What can I do after I’ve completed the course?
An ‘A’ Level in Geography opens doors! You will find that studying geography is a brilliant step towards a wider range of HE courses and/or employment opportunities.
Further education — geographers can go on to study a variety of higher level courses at university Employment — geographers can go into a wide range of jobs, including:| Advertising | Education |
| Environmental management | Finance |
| Law | Retailing/Marketing |
| Planning/government | Social/health |
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