Geography

Head of Department

M B McDavid

Qualification

 A Level

Exam Board

AQA

Entry Requirements

GCSE – Level 6 in Geography

GCSE – Level 6 in English

Why study this course

Be a better informed more aware citizen

Geography will help you to be more aware of the everyday lives of the people who live around you. Often, the top media stories, such as migration across the Mediterranean, the spread of Ebola or the impacts of earthquakes are underpinned by Geography, making it a hugely exciting, relevant and dynamic subject to study.

Geography provides us with knowledge and understanding that allows us to tackle local problems, as well as global issues.

Build your skills for future employers

Many of the transferable skills that are developed through studying Geography, including research and data collection skills, report writing, time management and organisation, communication and interpersonal skills, use of IT, numeracy, problem-solving and group work skills, will help you in the future, not matter what your future path might be.

Choosing Geography is a great way to remain flexible and keep your options open for the future as it offers a broad knowledge base alongside skill development.

Course Overview

During the A Level three Human and three Physical Geography topics will be covered, in line with the AQA A Level Geography specification. Students will also be supported in the completion of an independent investigation as part of their NEA

Component 1 – Physical Geography:

1. Water and Carbon Cycles - This section specifies a systems approach to the study of water and carbon cycles and contemplates the magnitude and significance of the cycles at a variety of scales.
2. Coastal Systems and Landscapes – The study of coastal zones, dynamic environments in which landscapes develop by the interaction of geomorphological processes in association with distinctive landscapes.
3. Hazards – This topic focuses on the lithosphere and the atmosphere, which present natural hazards to human populations, often in dramatic and sometimes catastrophic fashion.

Component 2 – Human Geography:

1. Global Systems and Global Governance - This section focuses on globalisation and the driving forces which have been a key feature of global economy and society in recent decades.
2. Changing Places - This section focuses on people's engagement with places, all of which are of fundamental importance in their lives. This includes study of near and far place and how places are represented in media versus real life experience.
3. Population and the Environment – This topic explores the relationships between key aspects of physical geography and population numbers, population health and well-being, levels of economic development and the role and impact of the natural environment.

Component 3 – Geography Fieldwork Investigation

All students are required to undertake fieldwork in relation to processes in both physical and human geography. At Claremont, students undertake 5 days of fieldwork in Somerset at the end of Year 12. During this trip students must choose a focus for their investigation and collect data in order to produce a 3000-4000 word geographical enquiry.

In the past investigations have included:

• What effects do longshore drift and erosion have on the coastline at Porlock Bay?
• What are the economic, demographic, and environmental factors present in Minehead that affect the sense of place?
• How does vegetation coverage impact infiltration rate around Nettlecombe Court in Somerset?

Exam Specification

For further information please refer to the AQA A-Level Geography Specification:

AQA A Level Geography Specificiation

SoW 

Furthermore, please find content summary sheets for information covered in physical and human geography.

Physical Geography Outline

Human Geography Outline

Enrichment

Model UN Club

During MUN participants assume the role of national ambassadors or representatives to debate and seek to solve global issues. By role-playing meetings like the Security Council and General Assembly, participants get a unique insight into how the United Nations works. Students get to research, debate and try to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems just like the real thing. (Open to GCSE and A-Level students)

Geography Book Club

Each month, students are assigned to read and then discuss sections of different books focusing on different aspects of Geography. In the past we have read and discussed “Prisoners of Geography” by Tim Marshall.

Future Pathways

Geography prepares for the world of work – geographers with their skills of analysis are highly employable.

According to the UK’s Higher Education Statistic Agency (Hesa), geography graduated are among the least likely to be unemployed with more than 90% working within 6 months of graduating.

Geographers work in a wide variety of fields. Geography directly related to careers in:

• Renewable Energy
• Town and Transport Planning
• Environmental management and conservation
• Travel and tourism
• Education and teaching
• Housing and social welfare
• Resources exploration and extraction, e.g. mining, petroleum
• Work in the charity sector
• IT
• Administration, logistics and business management
• Financial Services
• Retail and marketing
• Research and development
• Industry
• & many more.