| Overview | Geography is a constantly changing discipline, reflecting, describing and explaining the dynamic world around us. It examines the interaction between people and the places in which they live and as such, forms the bridge between the natural and human world and the science and arts disciplines. The Sixth Form geography course on offer at Queen Elizabeth’s is the AQA specification. This course represents a good progression from GCSE. A good understanding of the English language is required, especially at A2 level. The majority of students study AS geography as a foundation for further study at A2 level; a small number each year study AS geography as a stand-alone qualification. |
| Examination board | The sixth form geography course at Queen Elizabeth’s follows the AQA specification. Full details of the specification and additional support materials can be accessed here. |
Unit 1 - Physical & Human Geography Examination to be taken in June of Year 12 | There is a core physical geography component which engages in the study of the central role of water in landscape development and its management for human welfare purposes. At QE, the physical option covered is Cold environments and the themes explored within this are environmental impact, management, sustainability and citizenship. There is a core human geography component which focuses on the fundamentals of population in geography. These are addressed with an emphasis on change and development over space and time and their geographical implications. At QE, the option of health issues is explored and the emphasis here is on human agency and welfare. |
Unit 2 - Geographical Skills Examination to be taken in January of Year 12 | This unit encourages the development, use and application of a variety of geographical skills. There are six categories of skills – basic, investigative, ICT, graphical, cartographical and statistical – and they are taught as an integral part of Unit 1 Physical and Human Geography. In the final examination prominence will always be given to investigative skills and consequently the assessment of fieldwork. All candidates therefore need to take part in personal investigative work in the field to ensure familiarity with these. |
Unit 3 - Contemporary Geographical Issues Examination to be taken in June of Year 13 | In this unit, all candidates must study at least three options from a list of six. At QE we cover four options, two from the list of physical geography topics and another two from the list of human geography topics. This provides balance to the course and a choice of questions in the final examination. The physical geography options covered at QE are Weather and Climate and Associated Hazards and Ecosystems: Change and Challenge. The human geography options covered are World Cities and Contemporary conflicts and challenges. |
Unit 4 - Geographical Issue Evaluation Examination to be taken in January of Year 13 | This is an issue evaluation exercise and, as such, demands the development of the full range of geographical skills, knowledge and understanding identified throughout the entire specification. The scope of this unit allows candidates to extend the content of the specification within the specialised context of issue evaluation. At QE, we consider Urban decline and regeneration within urban areas in our preparatory fieldwork, which complements the World Cities topic within Unit 3. The final examination is centred on the content of an Advanced Information Booklet which is released to candidates on 1st November so there is an adequate amount of preparation time. |
| Course support & enrichment at QE | The sixth form geography curriculum is enriched through departmental subscriptions to a number of academic journals such as Geography Review and Geofile. There is a Sixth Form Geography Society, which is regularly addressed by leading academic geographers, and there are opportunities to attend external conferences and a Sixth Form Geography Clinic. Teachers in the department lead extension seminars for those interested in studying beyond the A-level specification and this is particularly useful for those who go on to take the Advanced Extension Award. A week’s residential fieldwork at a field studies centre in the Cevennes National Park in South Central France is undertaken in October of Year 12. This enables students to observe at first hand phenomena studied in the classroom, as well as introducing them to data collection and analytical techniques relevant to the first AS module, a skills examination, which is taken in January of Year 12. For most students, fieldwork is the most rewarding part of A-level geography and so further opportunities are arranged throughout the two-year course. The main A2 fieldwork takes place at the end of Year 12 once the AS examinations are over. This is used to prepare students for the examination that is taken in January of Year 13 (a coursework alternative) and the destination varies; in recent years, we have used a field studies centre in Somerset, another in North Norfolk and the London Docklands. |
| Progression from A-level Geography | A-level geography is a highly regarded qualification by universities and employers, as it tests understanding and knowledge in many different ways and has applicability in many related fields such as economics, history, politics, geology and earth science, biology and physics. To quote a major employer: “Geographers are stars in many respects, as they have a unique insight into the relationships between human and physical phenomena.” The study of geography is also proven to improve literacy, numeracy and communication skills. Geography graduates end up in a diverse range of careers from Law, consultancy and investment banking to environmental management, insurance and town planning. Many other A-level geography students go on to study medicine and architecture at university. A significant and growing proportion of A-level geography students from Queen Elizabeth’s go on to read the subject at undergraduate level. There are currently old-Elizabethans on geography courses at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Durham, Nottingham and UCL. The department actively supports students with the preparation of personal statements and mock interviews are organised for all Oxbridge applicants. |
Recommended wider reading This is particularly relevant for those considering further study beyond A-level | - Andrew Goudie – Environmental Change
- Al Gore – Earth in Balance
- Bruce Chatwin – In Patagonia
- Dava Sobel – Longitude
- Richard Fortey – The Hidden Landscape
All geography students are advised to keep themselves informed, via quality newspapers and the Internet, about current developments as they relate to geographical themes and issues. At A2 level, students are expected to supplement material covered in class with further information taken from a variety of sources. |