Geography

You will study an AS Level in the first year of this course.

Geography is more than simply knowing where places are and what they’re like. It is a subject that provides insights into major contemporary issues such as globalization and environmental change and equips you with real-life skills. 

This course is ideal if you are fascinated by the world around you and how physical processes affect the vulnerability of people. Also, if you have an interest in the future of our planet due to the possible impacts of factors such as climate change. It is also ideal if you would like to pursue a career working on environmental issues, hazard management, cartography, development, town planning or teaching.

A Level is assessed by written examination, and by submission of an independent geographical investigation. There are two papers, each 2 hours 30 minutes in length. 

What topics will I study?

• Landscape Systems: Coasts
• Earth’s Life Support Systems
• Changing Spaces; Making Places
• Global Connections: Human Rights, Trade in the Contemporary World
• Geographical Debates: Climate Change and Hazardous Earth

You will:

• Follow the AQA A Level Geography specification 
• Study human geography through topics including population, global systems and governance, and the concept of place.  
• Study physical geography through topics including coastal systems and landscapes, natural hazards, and carbon and water cycles. 
• Carry out urban and coastal fieldwork 
• Develop specialist skills including cartography and statistical analysis 
• Undertake an independent geographical investigation 
• Apply your knowledge and understanding in different contexts to interpret, analyse and evaluate geographical information and issues 

What can I study alongside this course?

You can study two A Levels and/or BTEC Certificates. It goes particularly well with Geology and Environmental Science and also goes well with Business, English Language, Economics, Politics, Sociology, History and Law.

Choose this course if…  

• You are interested in the environment, how places differ, how physical systems work and about how people interact with the world. 
• You enjoy analysing maps, graphs and other geographical information, and like watching documentaries on earth science and geopolitics.  
• You like the idea of having a coursework component as well as final exams 

Future Steps: This course is excellent preparation for university, or if you would like to pursue a career working in environmental sustainability, hazard management, human development, cartography, analytics or urban planning. 

You will need eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English Language and Maths).

It is desirable, but not essential, to have studied GCSE Geography.

Subject bespoke Learning Resource Centre support, compute suite and iPads for research, lecture theatre.

There are some costs of materials and resources.