Introduction
There has never been a better or more important time to study Geography. With growing interest in issues such as global warming, migration, environmental damage, poverty, natural hazards and future supplies of energy, food and water. Geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study.
Geography students hold the key to the worlds’ problems’. So if you have a sense of adventure, a desire to travel and an enthusiasm to see the worlds’ landscapes and cultures with a different view, then GCSE Geography is the subject for you.
The Course
Topics covered include:
1. The landscapes, rivers and coastline of Wales;
2. Challenges and issues for world cities and their population;
3. Volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis;
4. Climate change, extreme weather and world environments;
5. Development and water issues;
6. Social development challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Assessment
Unit 1 (topics 1-4) and Unit 2 (topics 5-8) are written examinations each worth 40% of the final GCSE grade. The written examinations are 1 hour 30 minutes in length. Unit 3 is a non-examination assessment based on two fieldwork enquiries, each in a contrasting environment. The NEA is worth 20% of the qualification and is 2 hours 30 minutes in length.
Progression
Colleges, universities and employers love the wide range of skills developed in Geography:
Problem solving and decision making, research skills, analyzing data, map skills, presentation skills, teamwork skills, enquiry skills. These are transferable skills which help in a wide range of careers, such as:
- Police
- Fire Service
- Armed Forces
- Charity Coordinator
- Aid Worker
- Hazard Management
- Expedition Leader
- Terrorism Prevention Officer
- Tourist Information Officer
- Transport Manager
- Coastal Engineer
- Earth Scientist
- Cycle Route Planner
Many successful people have studied Geography or use it in their everyday work. These include Ex-British PM Theresa May, Prince William, ex-Welsh rugby player-turned-adventure-athlete Richard Parks, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, Olympic rowers James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent, Campaigner Malala Yousafzai, Basketball star Michael Jordan and Kaiser Chief’s Drummer Nick Hodson.