Why should I study Geography?
The dynamic and skills based nature of this subject gives Geography one of the highest graduate employment rates of any non-specialist degree. A level Geography is an accepted entry qualification for many specialist and non-specialist higher education institutions and with Geography, you have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. Geography combines well with almost all other subjects. Taken with sciences it supports applications for almost any science-based university course such as engineering, psychology, environmental sciences, oceanography and geology; taken with humanities such as English, French, History or Economics, Geography provides a base for courses such as business, law, media, politics and philosophy. In A level Geography, transferrable and key skills are developed that employers are looking for and can lead to a wide range of employment opportunities. The qualification can also lead to further training in such areas as law, accountancy and journalism.
What skills will I gain?
The Geography department encourages the students to expand their knowledge of locations, places, processes and environments, at all geographical scales from local to global and to develop an in-depth understanding of the selected core and non-core processes in physical and human geography. They will recognise and be able to analyse the complexity of people-environment interactions at all geographical scales, and appreciate how these underpin the understanding of some of the key issues facing the world today.
One of the key skills students will develop over the two-year course will be to become confident and competent in selecting, using and evaluating a range of quantitative and qualitative skills and approaches, (including observing, collecting and analysing geolocated data) and applying them as an integral part of their studies. The students will understand the fundamental role of fieldwork as a tool to understand and generate new knowledge about the real world, and become skilled at planning, undertaking and evaluating fieldwork in appropriate situations.
We aim to develop students as critical and reflective learners, able to articulate opinions, suggest relevant new ideas and provide evidenced argument in a range of situations.
What will I learn?
At A level, Physical Geography and the environment are studied along with the human geography element and a geography fieldwork investigation. In the first year students develop their knowledge of coastal environments, contemporary urban environments and glacial studies. A geographical skills unit tests the students’ ability to comment on their primary and secondary data collection skills. In the second year, physical elements such as hazards and water and carbon cycles are studied, while in the human element students study global governance in greater detail. The final element involves students writing up an individual investigation on a hypothesis based on the syllabus and it is assessed by a 3,000- 4,000 word report.
Entry requirements: Grade 8 at GCSE is required.
Examination Board: AQA
Mr D.P. Rabbitte
Head of Department