Turn on your TV almost any day and you will see coverage of events such as flooding, storms or earthquakes and hear about issues such as sustainability and global warming. These events and issues are at the very heart of Geography. By studying Geography you will gain an awareness of your own responsibilities and how you can contribute to a future that is sustainable and inclusive.

 

Why Study Geography?

 In studying this course you will:

• Take part in fieldwork collecting data at first hand;
• Explore the interrelationships between people and their environments;
• Investigate how physical and human resources are managed;
• Consider interdependence between countries and the need for cooperation to tackle global issues;
• Have opportunities to use geographical skills including appropriate technologies such as GIS;
• Develop geographical skills and learn how to use appropriate technologies;
• Begin to appreciate the differences and similarities between people’s views of the world, its environments, societies and cultures;
• Consider how they can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive environment;
• Understand the significance of values and attitudes to the development and resolution of issues;
• Develop and apply their learning to the real world through fieldwork and other learning outside the classroom; and
• Have opportunities to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical thinkers with enquiring minds.

 

Type of Assessment

Unit 1 Understanding our Natural World 1½ Hour written paper

Unit 2 Living in Our World 1½ Hour written paper

Unit 3 Fieldwork 1 Hour written paper

This specification prepares students for the study of geography at a more advanced level, for example courses in Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and GCE Geography, or Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education in Travel and Tourism.

 

What Will I Study?

The course is made up of three Units. Unit 1 is completed in year 11, Unit 2 is completed in Year 12 and Unit 3 is a Fieldwork Report which is carried out at the start of Year 12.

UNIT 1: Understanding Our Natural World (Each theme 25%)	You will study four themes: ·        River Environments ·        Coastal Environments ·        Our Changing Weather and Climate ·        The Restless Earth
UNIT 2: Living Our World	You will study four themes: ·        Population and Migration ·        Changing Urban Areas ·        Contrasts in World Development ·        Managing Our Environment
UNIT 3: Fieldwork	·        Students base their answers on their knowledge and experience of fieldwork.

How Will I Be Assessed?

UNIT 1: Understanding Our Natural World	Unit 1 is a written exam and will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long. There will be four multi-part questions. Each question will focus on one of each of the themes. The questions will have resource material and some parts will require extended writing. This examination is worth 40% of the overall GCSE qualification.
UNIT 2: Living Our World	The written exam for Unit 2 will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long. There will be four multi-part questions. Each question will focus on one of each of the themes. The questions will have resource material and some parts will require extended writing. This examination paper is worth 40% of the overall GCSE qualification.
Controlled Assessment Unit 3: Fieldwork Report	The written exam for unit 3 will be 1 hour long. Students will be expected to answer questions relating to their fieldwork experience and data collected. This examination paper is worth 20% of the overall GCSE qualification.

 

How can I use my geography qualification in the future?

Geography combines well with both arts and science subjects. You may already be thinking ahead to potential further education and career choices so it is worth bearing in that geography is a broad based subject that really fits well for your future progression.

For example, for careers in sustainability and green issues, energy supply, managing the effects of hazards and climate change geography is an obvious choice. For careers in 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 then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues. If you are aiming at a future course in medicine or veterinary medicine, then geography is a good choice to give your qualifications the breadth that universities and further education colleges are looking for.

Career Pathways you could follow;

Urban planners, climatologists, logistics, researchers, journalists, teachers, tourist industry, environmental managers, forestry, cartographer, pilot, agricultural scientist, ecologist, environmental health, geologist, park ranger, landscape architect, department of the environment, hydrograph, meteorologist and many more…