Geography AS/A Level

Entry Requirements: 

An interest in current affairs and the natural world. Minimum C Grade from sitting the Higher Geography paper at GCSE and C in English and Maths. Special consideration will be given to outstanding students who have not studied Geography at GCSE level.

Introduction / Course Content:   

OCR examination board has been conditionally selected.  This specification has been chosen as it allows clear progression to higher education.  There is natural progression from GCSE to GCE with students being given the opportunity to develop fieldwork skills and study engaging contemporary geographical issues and impacts.  Specifications are still in their draft phase so are open to alterations.  We as a department have no control over these changes.

Why study Geography?

Firstly because you find the environment both, human and physical, intriguing and want to understand how the natural world is shaped and how humans interact with it.  Secondly, Geography has been defined amongst the key 'facilitating' or 'hard' subjects in a guide compiled by the Russell Group (20 leading UK universities).  This means that it is looked upon favourably by leading universities due to the many skills you learn during your studies that are transferable to other subjects.  Finally, In 2015 The Guardian identified geography as the 'must-have A Level'.

AS LEVEL

Future careers

Geography combines well with both arts and science subjects. You may already be thinking ahead to potential university and career choices so it is worth bearing in mind that geography is a broad based subject that really fits well for your future progression. For example, for careers in sustainability and green issues, urban regeneration, energy supply, retail location, managing the effects of hazards and climate change, geography is an obvious choice. For careers in the world of business, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in law, human rights, international relations or welfare then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as; How do we measure development? What are the consequences of migration on societies? If you are working towards a future course in medicine or veterinary medicine then geography is a good choice to give your A Level options the breadth that universities seek, as you will gain a clear understanding of how the environment affects health and survival of people, animals and ecosystems as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays and extended reports. Of course many A Level students do not yet have a clear idea of what kind of career they might want to pursue. If you are in this position, remember that geography as an A level gives you the chance to keep your options open as it covers both arts and science components. It is quite likely that when you choose geography your classmates will all be doing different combinations of A Level subjects – this adds to the interest when it comes to discussions on issues as everyone will have very different ways of thinking and expressing their opinions.

For more information see Mr G Millard