What's the course about?

This is an exciting new course examined by Ed Excel, which focuses on global geographical issues around the environment, development, pollution, hazards and the economy. It is relevant and topical. It will provide you with a wide range of transferable skills that employers are increasingly demanding. If you are interested in the world you live in and your place in it, then this is the course for you.

What does the course cover?

There are two units for AS level and two units for A2 level. All units are assessed by written papers and there is no coursework component. Fieldwork is still an integral part of the course and we will go on a three day residential field course in Year 12.

AS Units

Unit 1 - The World at Risk and Going Global
Natural hazards, global warming and climate change, international migration, economic globalisation and trans-national corporations, world cities.
1 Hr 30 mins exam paper

Unit 2 - Crowded Coasts and re-branding places
Coastal management issues and strategies to regenerate urban and rural spaces, e.g. the London 2012 Olympics
1 Hr exam paper

A2 Units

Unit 3 - Contested Planet
Energy issues, water conflicts, biodiversity, superpower geographies, the development gap, the technological fix.
2 Hr 30 mins exam paper

Unit 4 - Geographical research
Pollution and human health at risk.
1 Hr 30 mins exam paper

Skills developed

• Collection and analysis of primary and secondary data
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• ICT database, mapping and internet research skills
• Developing arguments and conclusions
• Recognising views and opinions and being able to identify bias
• Independent researching and constructing reports

Why you should take this subject?

• It will provide knowledge and skills needed for life, whatever you decide to do after school
• It is a very popular and successful course with very favourable student evaluations
• It provides you with a wide range of transferable skills
• Many students have continued to study the subject at university, where it can be taken as an Art or Science
• Most of all, the course is stimulating and relevant to the modern world.