AS and A-level Geography
(Equivalent to one A-level)

Who is the course for?

You should have achieved at least a C grade in GCSE Geography in order to take this course.

It is important that you have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in the environment and current affairs, a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.

What does the course cover?

There are three units to take in Year 12 and three to take in Year 13.

 Year 12   AS units 

Changing landforms and their management 

• River environments

• Coastal environments

Managing change in human environments

• Rural environments

• Urban environments

Environmental investigation

•  An individual investigation of your choice based on fieldwork carried out locally

Year 13   A-level units

Global challenge

• Atmospheric processes

• Ecosystems under threat

• Global population and migration

• Globalisation and the global economy

Researching global futures

• A research essay of your choice written in class and at home

• A research essay completed in the exam room on living with hazardous environments

Synoptic unit

An issues analysis exercise (involving problem-solving and decision-making) that combines the physical, human and environmental elements of previous units.

 Fieldwork

Fieldwork is a very important part of AS and A-level Geography. There will be several day visits in Years 12 and 13 and two weekend residential visits to Dorset.

 A four day trip to Iceland is likely to take place in 2007-8. This will involve visiting the craters of dormant volcanoes, geysers, geothermal springs, a geothermal power plant and whale watching in the Atlantic.

Careers

Geography is a very popular choice of study at University but even if you do not wish to pursue it at a higher level AS and A- level Geography are widely valued entrance qualifications for university.

Some of the careers that favour or require AS and A-level Geography include: 

Agriculture and forestry Architecture and town planning Cartography (map-making) The Civil Service Landscape Architecture Local government Law Journalism Selling and marketing Transport and communications Travel agency and tourism The armed forces Civil aviation Estate agency The leisure and sports industry Nature conservancy Surveying Teaching

Staff: Mr P. Gatty, Ms F. Hardwick, Ms H. Rush and Mr A. Hunnable