Geography
Our world is one of great beauty, complexity and increasing challenge. Geography is the subject which opens the door to this varied world and prepares each one of us for the role of global citizen in the 21st century. By studying geography, people of all ages can appreciate how places and landscapes are formed, how people and environments interact, the consequences of our everyday decisions, and how a diverse range of cultures and societies exist and interconnect. Geography is a subject which builds on young people’s own experiences, helping them to formulate questions, develop their intellectual skills and find answers to issues affecting their lives. It introduces them to investigative tools such as maps, fieldwork and the use of powerful digital communication technologies. It opens their eyes to the beauty and wonder around them and acts as a source of inspiration and creativity. More than this, it ensures that they appreciate and understand the complexity of attitudes and values which shape the way we use and misuse the environment. Through geography, students understand the importance of valuing and caring for the planet and all its inhabitants.
With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and sustainable sources of energy, geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study at A-Level. Geography will give you the opportunity to find out about many aspects of change on our planet, a knowledge base that will inform the rest of your life. The skills gained will be valuable to future employers and are relevant for a range of university courses. Geography is listed by the Russell Group of Universities as one of the seven facilitating subjects that are most valued by the UK’s top universities.
At The Royal, we follow the OCR A-Level geography syllabus. The aim of the course is to provide the opportunity for students to understand more about the worls, the challenges it faces and their place within it. Student gain an understanding of geographical processes, the impact of change and of complex people-environment interactions, the dynamic links and interrelationships between places and environments at different scales, and develop a wide range of geographical investigative skills and approaches. Geography enables students to become globally and environmentally informed and thoughtful, enquiring citizens. Students will be taught by two teachers, each focusing on their own subject specialisms.
Paper 1: Physical Geography
- Written examination: 1 hour 30 Mins
- 22% of the qualification
Content overview
- Landscape Systems - Coastal Landscapes
- Earth’s Life Support Systems
Paper 2: Human Geography
- Written examination: 1 hour 30 Mins
- 22% of the qualification
Content overview
- Changing Spaces; Making Places
- Global Development – Migration and Human Rights
Paper 3: Geographical Issues
- Written examination: 2 hours and 30 Mins
- 36% of the qualification
Content overview
- Disease Dilemmas
- Hazardous Earth
Coursework: Independent Investigation
- 20% of the qualification
The student will write a research report of 3000-4000 words about a question of their choice relating to any aspect of geography contained within the previous examination content. The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data and their own research and/or secondary data. The fieldwork which forms the focus and context of the individual investigation may be either human, physical or integrated physical-human.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a compulsory component of the geography course. It has a number of functions but, in particular, supports the Independent Investigation. We run a residential trip as well as additional fieldwork in central Birmingham and the local area.