AS & A Level Geography

AS & A Level Geography

course code:
cs-geog

start dates:
September 2010

course length:
1 Year

location:
WCT - St Andrew's Building, Deansway

first year fee:
£TBC
additional costs:
Plus costs for excursions.
you may also be interested in:
Physics and Sociology

course content
Geography is all around us

Geography is a subject which falls neatly between the Arts and the Sciences and combines well with all other AS / A Level subjects. It is effectively combined with Mathematics, Economics, Psychology and the Sciences, or with any of the Humanities.

At AS level students will study two units and sit examination paers in each:

• 
  
  Managing physical environments
  - This unit involves the study of river environments, coastal environments, cold environments and hot, arid and semi-arid environments.
• 
  
  Managing change in human environments
  - This includes the study of managing urban change, managing rural change, the energy issue and the growth of tourism.

The AS Geography course also includes several fieldwork activities.

During the A2 Geography course you will study two units and sit an examination paper in each:

• 
  
  Global issues
  - this will involve the study of the following environmental issues: earth hazards, ecosystems and environments under threat and climate hazards.
• 
  
  Economic issues
  - You will study population and resources, globalisation and development and inequalities.

Geography is a subject which is very much alive, and which changes rapidly. If the following sounds like you, then you are likely to enjoy Geography;

• Are you interested in the world around you, both physical and human?
• Are you interested in people, places and cultures?
• Do you care about the environment?
• Do you keep up with news and current affairs?
• Do you enjoy practical work and field work?

assessment
AS Geography is assessed in two written examination papers:

• 
  Physical and Human Geography
  
• 
  Geographical Skills
  

A2 Geography is assessed in 2 parts:

• 
  Contemporary Geographical Issues. Written examination
  
• 
  Geography Fieldwork Investigation. Written fieldwork report / examination
  

career opportunities
Geographers are going places

Geography develops a wide range of skills as well as subject knowledge.

The skills you develop are directly relevant to the world beyond education. The wider your range of skills, the better your chance is of being successful in employment or in Higher Education after your A Levels.

Skills that will be valuable to you include observation in the field, map work and cartography, collection, handling and presentation of data, ICT, how to solve problems, make decisions, and how to clarify the values which different people feel about geographical issues.

Other invaluable skills that you will be able to develop include communication, organisation, independent research, working with others, literacy and numeracy development as well as analytical and evaluation skills.

Geography A Level leads to possible careers in areas such as:

• 
  Business
  
• 
  Environmental Consultancy
  
• 
  Tourism Management
  
• 
  GIS
  
• 
  Planning
  
• 
  The Armed Services
  
• 
  Other Management jobs
  

progression
Many people who gain A Level Geography go on to study a wide range of courses at University.

At University, Geography can be studied as an Art (BA) or Science (BSc) subject, depending on your specialism.

Requirement
In order to study for AS Levels students must have: 5 GCSEs (in academic subjects*) at C or above in order to study 4 AS Levels 4 GCSEs (in academic subjects*) at C or above in order to study 3 AS Levels and 1 GCSE. All students should have GCSE English Language at C or above. All students who do not have GCSE English Language at C or above will be expected to take this as a subject in their first year. * 'Academic subjects' exclude short courses, Childcare, PE, CDT, Resistant Materials, Home Economics, GNVQs below merit or NVQs. Students will be required to have a grade C or above in GCSE English.