Geography

Course summary

Studying geography at A Level opens up a world of opportunity for students. Human and Physical Geography are both studied. We have forged links with ‘Geography In Action’ and go annually to their conference in London where students listen to inspirational and topical lectures. Geography combines well with almost all subjects. Taken with sciences, geography supports applications for almost any science-based university course; taken with humanities, geography supports an equally wide range of university courses such as business, law, media, politics and philosophy. Many students choose to use their qualification to go straight into employment, rather than go on to higher education. Because A Level Geography develops the transferable and key skills that employers are looking for, they can lead to a very wide range of employment opportunities. The qualification can also lead to further training in such areas as the law, accountancy and journalism. Students build on knowledge gained at GCSE. The course consists of both Human and Physical Geography and uses research skills to develop learning. Research is completed both in the classroom and out on fieldwork. Here, the students have the opportunity to go on a four-day residential fieldwork trip. In recent years the Geography Department has visited Malham Tarn Field Centre in North Yorkshire and Skerne Lodge Field Centre in North Devon. This allows students to complete their coursework (NEA) which is worth 20% of the final A level grade. Physical Geography: • Water and Carbon Cycles. • Hot Deserts systems and landscapes OR Coastal Systems and landscapes OR Glacial Systems and landscapes. • Hazards or Ecosystems Under Stress Human Geography: • Global systems and global governance. • Changing places. • Contemporary urban environments OR Population and the environment OR Resource security.