By studying GCE Geography you will learn about geographical concepts and processes, interactions between people and their environment, the challenges of sustainability and the importance of attitudes and values. You will then be able to relate what you have studied to the world around you.

The AS course can be taken as a final qualification or as the first half of the A-Level qualification. If you wish to obtain a full A-level qualification, you must complete the second half of the course referred to as A2.

Why Study Geography?

Geography is relevant, stimulating and interesting. Whether you just want to broaden your knowledge, plan to continue your studies through further education, or use this course to start your career – this course will provide you with the opportunity to gain transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, analysing, investigation, IT and map reading. If you are interested in the world around you and would like to understand more about the different cultures and environments that surround you, then GCE Geography would be an excellent choice of study.

What will I study?

There are two units at AS (and a further two at A2).

AS1 This unit has two sections. In Section A you will learn how to collect data first hand from physical and human environments by using equipment, surveys or questionnaires and use this information to provide a written report. In Section B you will study physical processes and systems and human interaction with them. This will be through a range of scales and in a range of places. The focus will be on rivers, ecosystems and weather.

AS2 The unit is divided into two sections. Section A will focus on data collection and processing. In Section B you will study human processes, systems and outcomes. This unit will study various aspects of population; rural and urban environments; and development.

Through both of the AS units you will learn how to analyse and interpret maps and other imagery as well as how to develop your data processing skills such as drawing annotated sketch maps.

How do you study?

A fieldwork investigation is completed at AS level in preparation for the Module 1 exam. No project write up is required. You will research issues such as over-population, flooding, hurricanes using the Internet, textbooks, videos etc and produce reports. Geographical issues have an important bearing on many aspects of life, so regularly reading a newspaper such as The Times or the Guardian, watching TC news and documentaries, and reading magazines such as national Geographic and New Scientist, will be helpful.

Higher Education Options

Geography is a popular subject at higher education level, and a good grade in A-Level geography is recommended for entry.

Degree-Level Study

Geography can be studied for either a BA or a BSc. Which one often indicates the extent to which the course focuses on the human or physical aspects of the subject.

An arts-oriented course in geography, for example, would mainly build on the human geography content of your A-Level, including topics such as population studies, settlement, and distribution of wealth and resources.

A BSc course is far more likely to involve topics such as geoscience, the scientific study of the structure of the Earth, and issues relating to natural resources, hydrology and geomorphology.

However, many colleges and universities, especially those offering degrees with a modular structure, allow for flexibility in ‘mixing and matching’ topics from both types of degree.

What can I do with a qualification in Geography?

Studying Geography will also help you to gain a greater understanding, for example, of people and places, weather systems, tourism, global energy and sustainable development.

This course can help you to develop a wide range of skills that are attractive to employers, for example it can help to develop your skills in investigating, in collating and evaluating information and being able to contribute to important debates on the current issues facing our world today.

Many of the topics or issues that you will study will be reported in the media, for example, environmental concerns such as pollution, flooding, earthquakes and global warming. This close link between studying Geography and what is going on in the world around you could lead you perhaps to a career in environmental work or with an aid agency.

Many geography students go on to have successful and interesting careers such as urban planners, cartographers, GIS specialists, climatologists, environment managers, weather forecasters, researchers, teachers, demographers, environmental managers and/or hazardous-waste planners.

How can I find out more?

Visit: www.ccea.org.uk/geography

The Geographical Association at www.geography.org.uk

The Royal Geographical Society at www.rgs.org

Entry Requirements

We wish to be open, flexible and accessible to interested candidates. An interest in geography is desirable and we would prefer prospective students to have studied geography to GCSE and have gained at least a C grade in the higher tier course and assessment.

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