AS/A Level : Geography

Geography is not only up-to-date and relevant; it is one of the most valuable subjects to study today. So many of the world's current problems boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them: Global warming, sustainable food production, natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, the reasons for migration and the future of energy resources are just some of the great challenges facing the next generation of geographers.

The new AS and A2 Level specification offers a wider variety of fieldwork opportunities which will be completed as part of a range of residential experiences either in the UK or abroad.

So … choose Geography if you enjoy:

• Getting to know the world through fieldwork
• Getting to know places and understanding other cultures
• Developing your understanding of the impact of globalisation on our lives and how we can manage this sustainably
• To develop a wide range of skills using computers and other technology; which employers and universities really value.

theguardian Editorial ‘… They [teachers] encourage ways of seeing and thinking that make geographers eminently employable …’

• If taken with science at A’ Level, it can provide you with the broadest careers options
  
• If taken with other arts subjects (e.g. History, English, Sociology), it can provide you with a science element, broadening your horizons and keeping your career options open
• It is a subject which is welcomed by universities (degree courses, BTEC and other vocational courses)
• It is recognised as a ‘facilitating’ subject at Russell Group universities.
• It can offer you the widest range of job opportunities than any other subject:
• For example - architecture, police force, IT, Law, personnel and management, teaching....

At A2 level, you will continue to study human and physical topics as well as apply your knowledge and understanding of the AS course to encourage you to think synoptically – that is, to think like a geographer and prepare you for Higher Education or employment. The topics covered during the A2 course are:

Unit 1 paper: 2hrs 30 mins (40%) (TBC)

Unit 2 paper: 2hrs 30 mins (40%) (TBC)

Unit 3: Individual investigation (20%)

Exam Board: AQA

Minimum requirement of 2 level 5's and 4 level 4’s and above to include a 4 in Geography

You could take this course with other advanced level courses to prepare for higher education in geography, other areas of humanities, science or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to geography such as a Town Planner, Environmental Officer or Weather Forecaster. The course also helps you to develop the basic skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for.