A2 Geography

AS/A2 GEOGRAPHY

Edexcel (1-2 years)

Course Content

There are many good reasons for studying Geography:

• You will enjoy it!
• You will explore our exciting world and our dynamic societies, environments, landscapes and cultures.
• You will use your knowledge and understanding of our planet to tackle big issues such as environmental responsibility, global interdependence and hazard management.
• You will develop essential skills for university and future employment including literacy, numeracy, ICT, problem solving, teamwork, thinking skills and enquiry.
• Geography shares common topics with Environmental Science, Economics and Sociology but also combines successfully with nearly every other AS/A2 combination.
• You will have many opportunities to conduct your own research by attending a range of field courses in diverse locations such as Iceland, China and Morocco.

Methods of Teaching

This course has a student enquiry approach using independent study packages, discussions, decision-making exercises, group research, computer simulations, the internet, the Geography Intranet and CD-Rom databases.

Students and teachers are partners in the learning process. There are many opportunities to do residential field work in UK Field Study centres and abroad. Recent field courses were in the Snowdonia and Iceland.

Methods and Patterns of Assessment

AS Level

• Global Challengesincludes 2 elements: World at Risk and Going Global with an exam in January.
• Geographical Investigationsincludes one physical and one human topic with an exam in June. Fieldwork, research and practical work form an intrinsic part of each topic and their assessment.

A2 Level

• Contested Planethas 6 compulsory topics: Energy security; Water conflicts, Biodiversity under threat; Superpower geographies; Bridging the development gap and The technological fix? There is a synoptic exam in January.
• Geographical Researchis your opportunity to conduct research into one of 6 options: Tectonic activity and hazards; Cold environments; Life on the margins; The world of cultural diversity; Pollution and human health at risk; Consuming the rural landscape. It is examined in June.

Financial Implications

Fieldwork is essential and all students will complete 3 day trips which are excellent value (approx. £18 each).

Short residential fieldwork opportunities are offered (approx £200.00) at field studies centres. We also offer overseas fieldwork opportunities The 2008 field course was to Iceland (£1100).

We offer a specialist journal at half price (£12.50 approx.) and you can join the Geographical Association (GA). Students are strongly encouraged to subscribe and attend the GA lectures and conferences.

Students will need to buy the course textbooks each year, (approx. £20). We have a few copies for loan and sets in the Library. The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.

Career Possibilities

Geography combines scientific knowledge with an understanding of humanities perspectives and therefore students possess many desirable skills for HE courses and employment.

Geography graduates have been surveyed about their career destinations after their degree courses. The results show:

• 40.6% went into management and administration
• 24.8% did further training, including a teaching PGCE
• 11.4% joined the financial sector
• 10.4% joined the retail sector
• 10% joined other professions, including the media (Source: AGCAS)

Geography graduates are highly employable - Times Educational Supplement Reporter