IB Geography

IB Geography

Why study Geography?
Geographers at Alton College have always recognised the interaction between people and their environment. The growth of technology has increased our ability to change this environment and the subject offers opportunities to assess the benefits and the costs of these changes to our society. The course challenges students to question our use of resources and to predict the consequences of our actions.

What will I learn?
You will develop a global perspective and a better understanding of world interdependence. The course should raise concern over the quality of our environment and of the need to plan and manage for the present and future generations. You will recognise and appreciate the need for social justice, equality and respect for others through geographical methodologies and appropriate techniques of inquiry.

How will I learn?
You will learn through core and optional topics. You will develop skills of interpreting maps and statistical data. There will be planned fieldwork and you will identify and understand physical and human geography through the use of the Internet and other educational media. You will have group discussions on contemporary issues, such as globalisation. There is research work that you will be involved in at local, national and international levels.

What will I be able to do next?
Universities recognise the International Baccalaureate as an acceptable entry qualification for Higher Education. You may wish to study for a degree in Geography or to use the subject in a range of other degrees including Economics, History and Politics. Studying Geography also provides you with the analytical and evaluative skills much prized by employers.

How will I be assessed?
At Standard Level:

External Assessment 80% Written Paper (Two Examination Papers)3 hours

Two pieces of Coursework 20%

At Higher Level:

External Assessment 75% Written Paper (Two Examination Papers)4 hours

Two pieces of Coursework (2000 words x 2) 25%

Additional information
Students will be asked to buy a Geographical magazine. They will also be involved in fieldwork trips. There will be two compulsory local fieldwork trips, costing £10 each, as well as optional trips and visits. There will be an optional longer field trip, possibly to South Africa.

Essential: £15 for textbook.

Further information on the IB programme
For more information please follow this link IB Programmme or see our IB Diploma School Pack.

Course: IB HL and SL

Entry Requirements For entry to the IB programme you must achieve an average of at least 5.5 points in your GCSEs, based on A* = 8pts, A = 7 pts …G = 1 point. In addition you must achieve Cs in English Language, English Literature, a Modern Foreign Language, Mathematics and Science. Where a subject is taken at GCSE, you will require a grade C for it if you are taking it at Standard level on the IB and a grade B if you will be studying it at Higher level.GCSE Geography is a desirable but not essential qualification. An interest in Geography, though, is essential.