GEOGRAPHY EDEXCEL

Students in year 12 will study two units at AS level:

unit 1

Unit 2

60% of AS, 1 hour 30 min exam

Two compulsory topics:

1. World at Risk provides an introduction to a range of global natural hazards, e.g. volcanoes and earthquakes. It also focuses on climate change, seen by many as our greatest environmental challenge.

2. Going Global focuses on the rapid economic changes which are impacting unfairly on people across the world, and the related international issues of population change and migration.

40% of AS, 1 hour exam.

Two topics, one human and one physical:

1. Re-branding Places focuses on how we need to re-image and re-generate rural and urban places, using appropriate strategies.

2. Extreme weather, with its increasing ferocity and frequency, fascinates some people and threatens many others!

FIELDWORK IS A MAJOR PART OF THIS UNIT

What qualifications do I need to study Geography?
Most students will have studied the subject at GCSE, achieving a C grade or higher. However, we will accept students onto the course who do not have a GCSE qualification, providing they can demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for Geography. Prior knowledge is not assumed and many areas of the course are entirely new to all students.

What kind of student is suited to this course?
Students who:

• Are interested in the world around them.
• Have awareness and a concern for the environment.
• Are interested in current affairs.
• Want the opportunity to carry out practical fieldwork outdoors.
• Enjoy working independently.
• Enjoy finding out about new people and places.
• Want to keep their options open - Geography is a useful qualification for a variety of higher education or career choices (see below).
• Enjoy discussion and decision making.

What future careers can Geography lead to?
Geography opens the door to many study and career options and is highly valued by future employers. It is useful in careers such as law, travel and tourism, the media, the business world, environmental issues, planning and the services. Geography is a valuable subject for many careers as it provides a variety of differing skills such as decision making, working independently and seeking answers to difficult questions through research and analysis.

How is the course assessed?
The Edexcel specification will be taught at Advanced level. There are two units of study in the AS course, each one is assessed by a separate exam at the end of the year. There is no coursework to complete; however, fieldwork remains a vital part of the course. Unit 2 relies heavily on field studies in order to develop subject knowledge and understanding.