“I initially struggled deciding between a grammar school sixth form and Birkenhead Sixth Form Collge and I am happy with my decision. The College has improved my self-motivation due to its ethos of independence and this is great preparation for university. I am more confident socially and I love the comfortable yet demanding lessons. The College has 'ticked all of the boxes' for me!”
Gillian Davies

Geography

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Entry Requirements

Normal BSFC entry requirements for an AS programme of study. If you have taken GCSE geography, you should achieve at least a ‘C’ grade but GCSE geography is NOT essential to study AS/A2. 

About the Subject

  • Why was 2004-5 the worst year EVER for Natural Hazards?
  • Will Liverpool’s “Capital of Culture” have long term benefit?
  • Will the Copenhagen Summit make the difference?
  • What is “sustainability”? Does it matter?

Geography asks the questions and finds some of the answers. Its about environment and people. That’s rich people, poor people; fine environments, polluted environments; highly accessible and totally inaccessible locations. We follow the new Edexcel Specification, which comprises of four exam units. There is no coursework but FIELDWORK is central to unit 2. 

  • In unit 1 you look at the big challenges facing both the physical and human world – climate change, hazards, globalisation and migration: topical stuff!
  • In unit 2 the focus is on changes to coasts, and to how rural and urban areas have rebranded, making good use of local fieldwork and one full day trip.
  • These two units make up the AS year.

In July there is the optional 2-day Activities Week trip.

AS Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of
Exam		 Weighting
in AS		 Weighting
in A2
1 World at Risk and
Going Global		 Exam January 40% 20%
2 Crowded Coasts
and Rebranding		 Exam May 60% 30%

A2 Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of
Exam		 Weighting
in A2
3 Contested Planet and
Synoptic Assessment		 Exam January 20%
4 Researching Volcanoes,
Earthquakes & Tsunami		 Exam June 30%

General Information

These are the two A2 units taken in the second year:

Unit 3: “Contested Planet”

The management of resources is a key issue in the 21st century. This unit looks at energy security, water, biodiversity, the development gap, superpower geography and it debates the “technological fix” solution. Keeping up with current affairs is a great help!

A synoptic assessment forms part of this unit. You study the pre-release material for 6 weeks and take it in to the exam. It draws on all the skills that you have gained over the two years, especially structured written argument.

Unit 4: “Geographical Research”

You complete an in-depth study of Tectonic Activity & Hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami) and then focus your work on the theme pre-released four weeks before the exam. 

What Next?

Many past students have successfully graduated with geography related degrees. Employers v value the range of transferable skills gained by geography students and the subject has one of the highest employment rates.

Typical career directions include planning, leisure, environmental consultancy, GIS, conservation, human resources and research. Geography fits well with a very wide range of subjects.

With geography at BSFC you can be sure of:

  • A well resourced department with very experienced, specialist staff
  • Individual subject support available for all modules
  • A focus on the key issues of the 21st century.