Geography AS/A Level

The broad 'people & environment' theme of the course provides a suitable background not only for a range of directly related courses and degrees, but also for a wide range of careers, particularly in planning, environmental control and conservation, travel & tourism and development abroad.

Two modules will be covered in the AS the first year:

Unit 1 Physical and Human Geography:

• Rivers, floods and management
  
• Cold environments, coastal environments and hot desert environments and their margins
  
• Global population change
  
• Food supply issues, energy issues and health issues
  (35% of total A Level marks)

Unit 2 Applied Geography:

• Basic, investigative, ICT, graphical, cartographical and statistical skills
  
• Research skills and the assessment of AS fieldwork.
  (15% of total A Level marks)

A2 Modules will be studied in the second year course, enabling students to deepen their understanding of concepts and gain an overview of geographical issues.

Unit 3 Contemporary Geographical Issues:

• Plate tectonics and associated hazards
  
• Weather and climate and associated hazards
  
• Challenges facing ecosystems
  
• World cities - evolution or revolution?
  
• Development and globalisation
  
• Contemporary conflicts and challenges
  (30% of A2 Level marks)

Unit 4A Geography Fieldwork Investigation:

• Investigation of a geographical argument, Assertion, hypothesis, issue or problem.
  (20% of total A Level marks)

Unit 4B Geographical Issue Evaluation:

• The process of issue evaluation.
  Structured short and extended questions based on an Advance Information Booklet.
  (20% of total A Level marks)

Students will acquire a range of skills including data analysis and essay writing. A variety of fieldwork activities will be undertaken both in the local area and further afield. A residential field course is organised each year and students should also have the opportunity of doing fieldwork abroad during their two-year course. The cost is variable and depends upon the destination. The course will also offer students an opportunity to develop a wide range of key skills.