A modern and diverse two-year course that studies six topics across both human and physical geography. The course is assessed with two exams worth 80% and an NEA or independent research task worth 20%. There are four days of fieldwork across the two years where students will explore a range of environments in the local area and there is also the option to attend international trips in locations like Iceland, Italy, and the Azores.
Geography is considered as a facilitating subject by the Russell Group Universities as it bridges the gap between science and humanities. Students will gain a large range of transferrable skills including data analysis, decision making, GIS, fieldwork, statistics and an understanding of global issues which make them valuable for a wide range of courses and careers.
Are you curious about the world around you and love to discuss issues such as climate change, politics, natural hazards and urban problems? You will learn in depth case studies of people and events that have changed the world and always be ready to update your knowledge as the world changes daily. Do you enjoy travel, being in the field and exploring local environments? Is there a topic impacting the local area that you can investigate for your coursework?
The Geography department has strong links with many local universities who share their research and also tell us about university and career options. We regularly have guest speakers to recently hearing from one of the climate scientists aboard the RSS David Attenborough in Greenland and the scientist that was the first to study a new cave system in Gabon finding key data being used on the front line of climate change science. Students will have the chance to take part in IRIS which is a student led original research project where students can publish their findings and present at a national conference.
There are a range of local trips to the Tees Barrage, Seaton Carew, a local iron mine, Newcastle and a nuclear power station as well as opportunities to join trips to Iceland, The Azores, Italy and Sri Lanka.
“I think that everyone should study Geography, the course is really broad and covers so much. The lessons are really engaging and go beyond the classroom. Recently we travelled to Iceland and got to experience incredible waterfalls, beaches and glaciers.”
Mia, Year 12, 2026
Geography delivers transferable skills that are relevant to all careers. Areas that students often go into involve urban planning, environmental management, education, banking, business and risk management.
Geography is a facilitating subject that links well with other science and humanities subjects.
Essay writing courses such as history, psychology and sociology are complementary and there is some overlap of content with A level Biology or applied science.