Geography - A Level

"Geography was a lesson I looked forward to weekly and I’m so glad I took it!”

Entry Requirements

Three GCSEs at grade 4 plus a grade 5 in English Language

Subject Intent

The geography curriculum encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the interactions between human and physical geographical processes.

The course will enable students to be inspired by their geographical understanding, to engage critically with real world issues and places, and to apply their geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them.

Our Geographers will grow as independent thinkers and as informed and engaged citizens, who understand their role and importance of geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to the understanding the world’s people, places and environments. They will become proficient at researching and evaluating geographical issues, and will develop problem solving and decision-making skills whilst handling and collecting data in the field. Our geography students leave enriched with skills, intellectually aware of what is happening globally, and ready to understand, study or work in a changing world.

Course Introduction

Geography is a thought-provoking subject and a topical course to study particularly with climate change so prominent in the media and at the top of many political agendas. You will explore this and other contemporary issues that we are facing in the 21st century.

Living by the sea, the Coastal Erosion topic is also of key significance and made even more real by the recent damage to the area from high tides. You will use fieldwork and research to examine how coastal erosion and sea level change alters the coastline. The topic of tectonic activity will also be covered.

You will study globalisation and the impact of international integration as well as superpowers and their influence. The course also examines the regeneration of towns such as Pickering using fieldwork and research.

The A Level covers a mix of human, physical and environmental topics and it goes without saying that you will go on plenty of field trips and develop your map reading, investigation, and presentation skills.

Course Modules

Year 1

Dynamic Landscapes

Coastal Landscapes & Change: Processes causing different landscapes and Coastal Landforms. How does coastal erosions and sea level change alter the coast? Coastal Management and Fieldwork & Research.

Tectonic Processes and Hazards: Why are some locations more at risk? Why do some tectonic hazards develop into disasters? How successful is the management of tectonic disasters?

Dynamic Places

Globalisation: What are the causes of globalisation? What are the impacts of globalisation? What are the consequences for global development?

Regenerating Places: How and why do places vary? Why is regeneration needed? How is regeneration managed? How successful is regeneration? What fieldwork and research can be used to investigate regeneration.

Year 2

Physical Systems and Sustainability

The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity: The processes involved in the water cycle, factors influence over the hydrological system and the issue of water insecurity.

The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security: How does the carbon cycle operate? The consequences of our increasing demand for energy. How are the carbon and water cycles linked to the global climate system?

Human Systems and Geopolitics

Superpowers: What are superpowers? The impacts of superpowers. What are the spheres of influence contested by superpowers?

Global Development and Connections – Health, Human Rights and Intervention: What is human development? Why do human rights vary from place to place? How are human rights used as arguments for political and military intervention? What are the outcomes of geopolitical interventions in terms of human development and human rights?

Assessment

A Level Geography is assessed by examinations and coursework.

Course Fact

The Guardian newspaper describe Geography as a “must-have A Level”

Example Career Opportunities

Geographer | Market Researcher | Environmental Health Officer | Cartographer | Planning & Development Officer Teacher | Seismologist | Geoscientist | Environmental Consultant | Meteorologist