5 in Mathematics required
6 in English Language required
6 in Geography required (if taken at GCSE)
6 in any science subject required if Geography not taken at GCSE
Why geography?
With growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion, geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study.You’ll develop skills in written and oral communication, research, critical thinking, evaluating resources and statistical analysis.
Many students go on to study geography at Oxbridge or Russell Group universities. A degree in geography will provide you with knowledge and transferable skills that will reward you personally and advance you professionally onto a diverse range of careers from disaster management and meteorology to environmental consultancy and town planning.
Course content
You will have the opportunity to study physical geography through topics such as tectonic process and hazards; coastal landscapes and change; the water cycle and water insecurity; and the carbon cycle and energy insecurity. You will also study human geography through topics such as globalisation; dynamic places; superpower geographies; and health, human rights and intervention. You will investigate case studies from a range of locations and at varying scales including population change in London; coastal process along the Dorset coast; water conflict along the river Nile; oil in the Niger delta; and the health and life expectancy of the aboriginal peoples in Australia.
You will undertake two days of coastal fieldwork and an additional two days of urban fieldwork. There is also the possibility of an optional international field trip. Past destinations have included China, Morocco, Thailand and Iceland.
Mark scheme
Exam - 2 hours 15 mins - 30%
105 marks - 3 sections, questions range from 4 to 20 marks
Dynamic landscapes
- Tectonic processes & hazards
- Coastal landscapes & change
Physical systems and sustainability
- Water cycle & water insecurity
- Carbon cycle & energy insecurity
Exam - 2 hours 15 mins - 30%
105 marks - 3 sections, questions range from 4 to 20 marks
Dynamic places
- Globalisation
- Diverse places
Human systems and geopolitics
- Superpowers
- Health, human rights, intervention
Exam - 2 hours 15 mins - 20%
70 marks - Questions range from 4 to 24 marks
Synoptic investigation
- Given an unseen resource
booklet containing information about a geographical issue (e.g. resource exploitation in the Congo basin), students draw on synoptic knowledge and understanding
Coursework - 20%
70 marks - 3,000–4,000 words
Independent investigation
- Based on two days of fieldwork on
either coasts or diverse places