GEOGRAPHY

Exam Board – OCR

What can I expect from this subject?

This subject has never been more relevant. It helps you to understand many of the global issues that face our planet today, such as environmental responsibility and global interdependence. You will become skilled in research, data analysis and decision making. Fieldwork is also a central component of the course, with two enquiries undertaken: one residen9al trip in the summer of year 10 studying rivers and coasts in Devon, and one day trip to Birmingham to study urban sociodemographic characteris9cs.

The course is examined through 3 papers at the end of the 2 years of study.

1. Paper 1: Our Natural World - Topics studied: Global Hazards; Changing Climate; Dis9nc9ve Landscapes; Sustaining Ecosystems 2. Paper 2: People and Society - Topics studied: Urban Futures; Dynamic Development; UK in the 21st Century; Resource Reliance. 3. Paper 3: Geographical explora9on - This paper has a series of ques9ons focusing on synop9c assessment of material from the 8 topics already studied. There will be a decision- making exercise where you look at a situa9on and use resources provided to make your own judgement and sugges9ons about a topical issue.

What can I do to prepare for this course?

1. Watch the news and consider the many links to geography in the events taking place around the world every day. 2. Read and research around the subject, for example, follow the UN Sustainable Development Goals on Twieer. 3. Watch any documentaries that are about human interac9on with each other and the world, such as 'Blue Planet' and ‘Ci9es’. 4. Get out and about, explore the UK and abroad and observe what you see.

What will my next steps be?

Geography GCSE is a sound founda9on to studying A-level geography, as well as a broad range of other subjects in the Sixth Form. Drawing on both skills from the arts and the sciences, it is an excellent route into a range of different fields, from GIS and climatology, medicine to architecture and business.