Geography

Exam Board - OCR A Level

The nature of the course:

According to The Guardian (2016), “It is the must-have A Level... Geography is a subject for our times. It is inherently multidisciplinary in a world that increasingly values people who have the skills needed to work across the physical and social sciences.”  Studying Geography provides you with the opportunity to engage with the world around you.  From looking at landscape systems such as glaciation, to understanding how people perceive the places around them, Geography Paper 1 and 2 topics inspire a love of the dynamic world around us and explore your role within it.  With its emphasis on data analysis, environmental processes, and scientific investigation, Geography complements subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, making it an ideal choice for students with a scientific mindset. The course also delves into geopolitics, examining global power dynamics, conflicts, and international decision-making, equipping you with a critical understanding of the forces shaping our world and the skills valued in fields such as Economics, International Relations, and Planning.  In the Paper 3, you will further develop your knowledge of both Global Diseases and Natural Hazards, whilst building the ability to critically discuss complex issues. Geography A Level is a reputable course (with the Russell Group Universities) that provides you with highly employable and transferable skills to prepare you for university and future careers.

 

Course components:

Component 1: Physical systems (Glaciated Landscapes and Earth’s Support Systems) - Examination - 24%

Component 2: Human interactions (Place, Migration and Power & Borders) - Examination - 24%

Component 3: Geographical Debates - Examination - 32%

Component 4: NEA (Non-examined assessment) - 4,000 word fieldwork project - 20%

Please note that a requirement of the specification is that students must complete at least four days of fieldwork. As a result, parents and carers are invited to make voluntary contributions to meet trip costs of approximately £425.

 

Future pathways:

Geography A level can lead on to careers in:

• Law, Business and Economics

• Urban Planning and Architecture

• Geoscience, Environmental Science and Conservation

• Geoengineering 

• Government and Politics

• Medicine (when studied biology and chemistry)