Why study Geography?

Geography matters. It matters because it’s relevant. Geography’s relevance stems from the fact that it can lie at the heart of government policy making, as well as affecting the way we live our everyday lives. It considers some of the most critical issues affecting the planet today, such as population growth and migration, hazard impact, globalisation and environmental degradation.

To understand Geography is to understand your world. Geography’s strength lies in its breadth. It draws together just about all other subjects and explains the link between them all. It is the link between science and the arts and looks at key issues such as sustainability, interdependence, and global citizenship. Universities and employers like Geography, as it provides you with so many useful and transferable skills, including analytical, statistical, presentational and research skills, useful in so many disciplines.

What does the course involve?

A Level Component one:

• Physical systems
• Glaciated landscapes
• Earth’s life support systems: water and carbon cycles

Component two:

• Human interactions
• Changing spaces, making places
• Global connections: Global Migration and Power and Borders

Component three:

• Geographical debates
• Disease dilemmas
• Exploring Oceans

Component four:

• Investigative geography
• Independent investigation

An essential part of Geography is studying the environment first-hand. The department organises a range of fieldwork opportunities to enable you to develop the necessary skills. These trips include a residential trip to North Wales at the start of the course to study glaciated landscapes and optional trips to support different aspects of the course, including Iceland, New York and Malaysia.

How will I be assessed?

Component one: Physical systems 1 hour 45 minutes written exam; 24% of ‘A’ Level

Component two: Human interactions 1 hour 45 minutes written exam; 24% of ‘A’ Level

Component three: Geographical debates 2 hour 30 minutes written exam; 32% of ‘A’ Level

Component four: Investigative geography Internally assessed, externally moderated; 20% of ‘A’ Level

Leading to a career in?

Geography is a subject that teaches transferable skills which help with many career paths and are highly valued in the job market. Geography is particularly useful for careers in: environmental management, international aid/development, logistics and distribution, market researcher, nature conservation officer, tourism officer, transport/town planner, cartographer, surveyor and geographical information systems officer.