Summary

You will study many aspects of the natural and human environment, including contemporary issues, natural hazards such as flood events, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and hurricanes, and our expanding population. You will also study the globalisation of economics and its major impacts on our daily lives, such as world energy and food production. As geography is such a broad subject, it opens many doors and will prepare you for a wide variety of courses at university, including traditional human and physical geography, environmental science, climate change, marine biology, oceanography and seismic exploration.

The course follows the AQA specification, which was first introduced in September 2016.

In Years 1 and 2, students will study core human and physical geography. In each area of study, learners will consider the values and attitudes of decision-makers and their own values and attitudes towards the issues being studied, and support their learning of ideas through the study of specific case studies. Students will also develop a variety of geographical skills, which will broaden and deepen existing knowledge and be employed with a greater degree of independence.

Physical Geography Modules:

• Coastal Systems and Landscapes
• Hazards
• Water Carbon Cycles

Human Geography Modules:

• Changing Places
• Global Systems and Global Governance
• Population and the Environment

Fieldwork:

Field studies are an essential part of the course. As well as undertaking class trips (both day trips and at least one residential trip), there are opportunities to attend optional residential trips to places such as Iceland, the Bay of Naples and other locations.

At the end of the first year (usually during the summer holiday), all students MUST undertake an individual field study, which is planned and carried out by themselves under guidance from the department. This is the compulsory fieldwork element and aims to help develop independent research and analytical skills. It is marked internally and submitted to the exam board for moderation.

How will I know how I am doing?

This course is assessed by two 2.5-hour exams at the end of the second year and one fieldwork NEA.

What do I need to join?

To study this course, you will need five GCSEs, including English and Maths. You must also have a grade 5 or above in GCSE Geography.

How will I learn?

This A Level course is based at our Filton campus, located in South Gloucestershire which is easily accessible from the city of Bristol by train (Bristol Parkway / Bristol Abbey Wood) and bus.

Work Experience

You will be required to do a minimum of 36 hours of work experience. This is usually completed in a week during your first year in term time, where you will have the opportunity to explore a career field which takes your interest. In the lead-up to this week, you will be asked to create an exciting CV during a group tutorial period. The aim of this activity is to give you an idea of what full-time employment is like and to help you think about which career you would like to follow.

What can I do next?

As geography is such a broad subject, it opens many doors into university life. This qualification will prepare you for a wide variety of courses, from traditional human and physical geography to environmental science, climate change, economics, development, marine biology, oceanography, seismic exploration and more.

The careers made possible by studying geography are numerous, but a few would include: meteorologist, hydrologist, volcanologist, geologist, geophysicist, storm chaser, surveyor and town planner.