geography

Entry Requirements

Grade 6 in GCSE Geography

Exam Board

Pearson (Edexcel)

Why Choose Geography?

Geography is an academically robust subject which spans the social and physical sciences and promotes a lifelong interest and fascination in how the world works. The Russell Group of universities has recognised A- level Geography as one of their preferred ‘facilitating subjects’, which supports an application into a wide range of undergraduate courses. At WKGS we have an excellent tradition of developing students who either go on to specialise in Geography or use it to support their future choices. Degrees and careers are many and varied with A-level geographers recently combining it with the sciences to study Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry or Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geology, Environmental Science or Oceanography. With Maths you could also consider Meteorology. In the arts, students have used A-level Geography to study Economics, Town and Country Planning, Landscape Architecture, Law, Product Design, Fashion, Business Administration, or Tourism. Completing a Geography degree keeps options open with the subject being available as both an Arts or Science degree, contributing to the reputation of Geography having very high graduate employment rates (Guardian newspaper). So choose this subject to keep your options well and truly open. The skills you gain fit well into many careers, plus our field trip experiences are unforgettable.

What is Involved?

Two main areas of study - Physical and Human Geography are well represented with a chance (Year 2) to undertake your own unique piece of field investigation. Skills are mastered from our extensive six days of fieldwork (including three days in the Lakes).

Year 1 - Tectonic Processes considers the causes of, impacts and responses to tectonic (earthquake, volcano and tsunami) hazards. Optional fieldwork includes London and Iceland. Landscape Systems studies glacial processes, landforms and landscapes. Fieldwork is in the Lakes. Globalisation considers impacts for different people and places. Our optional fieldwork in China really helps here. Shaping Places studies how places develop their own personal identities. This could be Liverpool (fieldwork) or the success in Shanghai’s redevelopment.

Year 2 - The Water Cycle and the Carbon Cycle consider impacts of these cycles and future consequences for water insecurity and the global energy debate.

Superpowers considers the reasons for shifting economic and political power and the impacts of countries such as Russia, China and the USA on the world. Topics include: Health, Human Rights, Migration and Identity. 

Key Stage 5 Curriculum Maps