We want students who: show a genuine appreciation of our changing world and use a wide range of skills, which they can apply to a variety of situations; can work independently on a task or take an active role in a small group.  Students should enjoy lively debate and appreciate how we, as individuals, can influence the future of our planet.  Geographers should be competent in using ICT.

There are a mandatory 4 days fieldwork as part of the A-level specification, which will be undertaken during the two-year course; previous trips include a day in Carlisle looking at perception of place, peat-bog assessment on Cold Fell, impacts of glaciation in the Borrowdale Valley and a trip to a large urban area for the diverse places topic.

How will students be assessed?

A Level: 3 written exams and 1 non-examined assessment

•    Paper 1: Physical Geography: Tectonic Processes, Glaciation, Water Cycle and Water Insecurity, the Carbon Cycle and Energy Insecurity (30%, 2 hour exam).

•    Paper 2: Human Geography: Globalisation, Superpowers, Regenerating Places and Health, Human Rights and Intervention (30%, 2-hour exam).

•    Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation: Resources on a geographical issue (20%, 1¾ hour exam).

•    Coursework: Independent Investigation - Non-examined assessment (20%, 3-4000 words).

What other courses does it complement?

Geography complements a wide range of other subjects in both the arts and sciences faculties. Examples range from Biology and Mathematics, to English, Modern Foreign Languages and Government and Politics.

Next steps - what this course can lead to

Geography can lead to further study at degree level, or be a supportive qualification for either a science or an arts degree.  Career prospects are wide ranging and include: the travel & tourism industry, retail, transport, local government and politics, teaching, the Environment Agency, military, management, mapping and planning to name but a few.

St Benedict’s,

Sixth Form