Geography
GCE Advanced Level AS/A2
Course Content
The AS modules cover a range of topics which are both Physical and Human in content. In addition, geographical skills are taught and assessed within the two modules.
| Managing Physical Environment | - Cold Environments |
| - River Environments | |
| - Coastal Environments | |
| Managing Human Environments | - Managing Urban Change |
| - The Growth of Tourism | |
| - Managing Rural Change |
The following topics will be taught for A2:
| Global Issues | - Earth Hazards and Climate Hazards |
| - Population and Resources | |
| - Inequalities | |
| - Geographical Skills |
How it is Taught
The AS course is highly structured and students are expected to back up classroom work with reading from a textbook. In class the students usually carry out individual or small group activities within the lesson. The skills are taught within the course content at appropriate places. Assessment is through structured questions and extended writing.
At A2 students are expected to write essay answers to examination questions and develop these skills with essay assignments where extended reading is required. Residential fieldwork is undertaken in the Lake District to underpin course content, with an emphasis on data collection skills. This allows students to develop the geographical skills of statistical analysis and data presentation which are taught alongside the topics in the course.
Examination Details
| Level | Title | Duration | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS | Managing Human Environments | 1 1/2 hours | 1st Year January |
| AS | Managing Physical Environments | 1 1/2 hours | 1st Year May |
| A2 | Geographical Skills | 1 1/2 hours | 2nd Year January |
| A2 | Global Issues | 2 hours | 2nd Year June |
Entry Requirements
Students should meet the general college entry requirements for advanced level study including a grade C in GCSE Maths or English. Please refer to the current Prospectus - advanced programmes, entry requirements.
It is preferred that Geography students have at least a grade C in Geography though occasionally students study Geography without having studied it at GCSE. In this case we would look at the full range of student achievement at GCSE in other subjects.
Useful/Common Subject Combinations
Geography students combine this subject with many different options. Some choose science-based subjects including Geology while other may be studying Humanities subjects such as History or Sociology. ICT and Computing also combine well with this subject.
Careers and HE Information
The skills which geographers acquire are greatly valued in the workplace and in education. Many universities are happy to accept Geography as a supporting subject, whatever the course applied for. Geography degree courses are available at all types of university and students can specialise in aspects of the subject which interest them. For example GIS (Geographical Information Systems) is an area where students use ICT skills to present information and images in a digitised form. There are obvious links with Town Planning, Transport management, Social Policy, but geographers are just as likely to become accountants!
Other Relevant Information
We expect geography students to be interested in the world around them. Some students are interested in travel and global issues such as the difference in wealth between the rich and poor countries of the world. On a more local scale, issues such as urban deprivation and social differences in cities may be of interest to students of geography. Whatever the interest, students should read a quality newspaper and watch the news on a regular basis to keep up to date on current issues.