Geography

A Level Geography covers both the physical and human environments and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. It investigates how human interaction affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects of such processes. This is complex and dynamic and gives students opportunities to debate the contemporary challenges facing the world today. Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice, being named as one of the facilitating subjects in the Russell Group Report. It combines well with both arts and science subjects, giving a broad base that keeps options open for future progression at university or career choices.

Specification: OCR Geography A Level

This specification consists of three externally assessed examinations and one piece of independent fieldwork enquiry.

Paper 1 – Physical Systems – 1 hour 30 mins examination, worth 22%

n Landscape Systems – Involves the study of processes, landforms and resultant landscapes created by rivers and glaciers and the inter-relationship of these landscapes with human activities; n Earth’s Life Support Systems – Studies the inter-relationship between the land, oceans and atmosphere and how they have been threatened and managed by human activities.

Paper 2 – Human Interactions – 1 hour 30 mins examination, worth 22%

n Changing Spaces; Making Places – Investigates the actions, interactions and spatial patterns of people and studies how humans have shaped the world around them with a focus on global migration and human rights; n Global Connections – Explores a variety of contrasting places and how, despite connections, there is inequality. We will explore global migration and human rights and gain an understanding that global systems and governance have local impacts.

Paper 3 – Geographical Debates – 2 hours 30 mins examination, worth 36%

These are the most dynamic issues the planet faces and students will think critically about the interactions between people and the environment. Students will study two of: n Climate Change; n Disease Dilemmas; n Hazardous World.

Independent Investigation – Internally assessed, worth 20%

An individual research topic, with a guidance of 3,000 – 4,000 words.