What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
What is most important if you wish to study Geography is that you should 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. An A or B grade in GCSE Geography will demonstrate the necessary willingness to study this course.
the forces influencing our natural environment – the landscapes, the plants and animals, and the weather and climate- the issues affecting people and the places where they live; how are cities and the countryside changing and why are they changing?
- how people affect the environment we all live in and what are the opportunities, the challenges and the constraints?
- what decisions are being made about the use and management of resources and who makes them?
- an appreciation of current events and world problems such as the effects of natural hazards and the plight of refugees
- planning a fieldwork investigation – the collection of primary and secondary evidence & how to analyse it.
What kind of student is this course suitable for?
This course will appeal to those students who:
enjoy studying a subject that is relevant to their own lives and experiences- want the opportunity to carry out practical work outdoors as well as classwork
- enjoy finding out their own answers – not just being taught
- want to broaden their AS or Advanced GCE studies to cover both ‘sciences’ and ‘humanities’
- enjoy travel and finding out about new people, places, landscapes and events
- want to keep their options open – the study of Geography does not force you to make an early commitment to a particular career
How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course?
Your fieldwork will offer you the greatest opportunity to develop new skills. Other opportunities will arise during lessons and individual study time - for example, learning through discussion and the use of thinking strategies. Collecting and analysing primary (fieldwork) and secondary data plus manipulating and presenting this using ICT, provide transferable skills.
What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?
At AS level the course consists of two units of assessment, detailed below: |
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UNIT 1 (70% of AS:35% of total A-level) |
UNIT 2 (30% of AS:15% of total A-level) Fieldwork Visits |
At Advanced level GCE the A2 qualification is studied at a higher level. |
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UNIT 3 (30% of total A-level) |
UNIT 4 (20% of total A-level)
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At present the specification for AQA is being developed so the course may be subject to change.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
Students with AS or Advanced GCE Geography have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. You learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These include collecting, analysing and interpreting data, communicating your findings in different ways, and identifying and developing the links between different parts of the subject. These skills are in great demand and are recognised by employers and universities and colleges as being of great value.- Geography combines well with almost all other AS and Advanced GCE subjects: taken with sciences like mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Geography supports applications for almost any science-based university course like engineering, psychology, environmental sciences, oceanography and geology
- Taken with humanity subjects like English, French, history or economics, Geography supports an equally wide range of university courses such as business, law, media, politics and philosophy
- Business Studies and ICT also combine well with this AS or Advanced GCE in Geography
As AS and Advanced Level GCE Geography develops the transferable skills that employers are looking for, they can lead to a wide range of employment opportunities. The qualification can also lead to further training in such areas as the law, accountancy and journalism.