Curriculum Area: Humanities
Geography AS/A Level
Advanced Subsidiary [AS]
The Advanced Subsidiary [AS] is studied in the first year. The course is divided into separate modules. They are:
| Unit | Subject of core study | one environment/issue |
| Unit 1: Physical and Human Geography | Rivers, Floods and Management | Cold environments, coastal environments, hot desert environments and their margins |
| Global Population change | Food supply issues, energy issues and health issues | |
| Unit 2: Applied Geography | Basic, investigative, LCT, graphical, cartographical and statistical skills | |
| Research skills and the assessment of AS fieldwork |
Advanced Level [A2]
Students can choose to progress to the full Advanced Level [A2] in the second year of study and the three modules covered are:
| Unit | Choose one from the following | Choose one from the following |
| Unit 3: Contemporary geographical issues | Plate tectonics and associated hazards | World cities – evolution or revolution?> |
| Weather and climate and associated hazards | Development and globalization | |
| Challenges facing ecosystems | Contemporary conflicts and challenges | |
| Unit 4: | Geographical fieldwork investigation |
Methods of Teaching and Learning
The course is taught by well qualified members of staff. Essays and other assignments will be set at regular intervals throughout the course and a very high level of student involvement is expected in the form of regular research and wider reading. An absolute minimum of four hours home-study time per week is expected of each student in this subject alone.
Methods of Assessment
The course will be examined in the following pattern:
Advanced Subsidiary [AS]
| Unit 1 | 2 hour | 70% of total AS |
| Unit 2 | 1 hour | 30 % of total AS |
Advanced Level [A2]
| Unit 3 | 2 hour | 30% of total A level |
| Unit 4 | 1 1/2 hour | 20% of total A level |
Resources
Support for students learning is mainly provided in the Library and Information Centre which provides access to the Internet and is well stocked with the latest issues of Geography books, journals and newspapers.
Progression
The full Advanced Level in Geography provides a sound basis for students who wish to proceed to Higher Education as well as being a useful background for any career in Cartography and surveying, Estate Management, Housing Management, Landscape Architecture, Recreational Management, Town Planning, Transport Management. It combines well with most other subjects.
Entry Requirements
Five GCSE at Grade C or above or the equivalent in four subject areas including GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C at higher level, if GCSE Geography has been studied a grade C or above in the Higher Tier is required.
Charges
Fieldwork: It is hoped to run several days field trips at AS and A2 Level. This may however, depend on demand. Each student will be expected to meet the full cost of the course. Details on request. Fieldwork is of particular significance in unit 2 and unit 4.