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 Edexcel A-Level geography syllabus. The curriculum is varied and will enable students to engage critically with real world issues and places. Students will explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions and issues such as the consequences of globalisation, responses to hazards, water insecurity and climate change. Students will be taught by two teachers, each focusing on their own subject specialisms.
Paper 1: Physical Geography
- Written examination: 2 hours 15 Mins
- 30% of the qualification
Content overview
- Tectonic Processes and Hazards
- Landscape Systems, Processes and Change - Coastal Landscapes
- The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
- The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
Paper 2: Human Geography
- Written examination: 2 hours 15 Mins
- 30% of the qualification
Content overview
- Globalisation
- Shaping Places – Regenerating Places
- Superpowers
- Global Development and Connections – Health, Human Rights and Intervention
Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation
- Written examination: 2 hours and 15 Mins
- 20% of the qualification
Description
The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue about a named case location rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas from Papers 1 or 2.
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 to Slapton Sands on the Devon coast and additional fieldwork in central Birmingham.