Overview
The Kings Advanced Level Foundation is based on A-level syllabuses, taught by A-level teachers, assessed against A-levels and moderated by an independent Advisory Board of external examiners. As such, it is one of the most highly academic and successful pathways to leading UK universities.
Human Geography is an elective module within the Foundation, and is ideal for students who are interested in studying either this, or another Humanities-based subject at university.
Key Facts
- 8 April 2024 (Extended programme only)
- 1 July 2024 (Extended programme only)
- 9 September 2024
- 6 January 2025
- Bournemouth
- Brighton
- London
- Oxford
- Academic: Completed 11-12 years of schooling
- English: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
- 1 Academic Year (3 terms)
- Extended programme: 1-2 Academic Years (4-7 terms)
- Average 21 hours per week (plus homework and private study)
Learning outcomes
- An awareness of the main elements in the global distribution of people, industries and wealth and understand how social, economic, historical and environmental factors interact to influence these.
- The ability to explain the processes involved in the development of a country’s industry, transport, population structure and economy.
- In-depth knowledge of the local effect of global processes, the impacts of government policy and the extent to which nations are interdependent.
- An appreciation of he role of models in the study of human geography and be able to apply abstract theories to real life case studies.
- The ability to use a range of skills and techniques, including the use of maps and images at different scales.
Course content and structure
The Advanced Level Foundation programme is highly flexible, and able to adapt to the needs and academic aspirations of each student. It does this through a combination of core modules and a series of elective modules which can be combined in different ways to create main subject streams.
Human Geography is one of the many elective modules offered, and an overview of the syllabus content is shown below.
Term 1
- The global distribution of the world’s population.
- The positive and negative factors which can influence the density of population in a given area at a range of scales
- The world’s population and the population explosion as recorded by the world population clock.
- The factors which affect population change [IMR, FR, BR, DR and NI]. Changing birth/death rates and other demographic indicators. Database sampling and statistical methods of analysis.
- The Demographic Transition Model.
- Overpopulation and the theories of Malthus and Boserup. Access to water supplies or other natural resources.
- Global and regional variations in population structure. Political and economic impacts of changing population structures.
- Managing population change. Policies designed to restrict or increase growth.
- The impact of population growth on the environment.
- Migration and its causes. The classification of migration. Migration models.
- Population structure and changing patterns of migration within the UK.
- The causes and consequences of rapid urbanisation in LEDC’s, and possible solutions.
Term 2
- Defining development. Indicators used in the identification of the different levels of development. Problems associated with measuring and defining levels of development.
- How to use a range of data bases to extract, present and analyse data on development.
- Identifying and explaining reasons for global development disparities.
- An analysis of trade and current global economic activity and the application/ relevance in today’s world of a range of economic development models (Friedman, Clark, Myrdal).
- Issues of globalisation.
- Developments in global communications and transport. Comparative advantages of air, sea, road and rail transport.
- The changing nature and structure of economic activity within the UK.
- The growth and decline of manufacturing industries in the UK.
- De-industrialisation and the nature and location of present-day manufacturing in the UK.
- Regional disparities
- Regional policies and regeneration.
- Case studies of modern industries
- The growth of the service sector. The changing nature and structure of the retail sector.
- The employment structure of the local urban area to include the commercial, manufacturing and service sectors.
- Industries in the Rapidly Industrialising Countries.
- (RIC’s) and the evolving interdependence of nations. The emergence of new economic ‘super-power’ countries.
- Case studies of global shifts in the car industry and/or the fashion industry.
- Aid and the role of Government and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
Term 3
Development and Industrial Change
- Sustainable development issues.
- The tourist industry.
- The impact of commercial tourism at a range of scales from local to national.
- The growth of ‘Eco Tourism’.
- Environmental impact of Economic activities.
Sample subject combinations with Human Geography
- Human Geography, History, Economics
- Human Geography, Government and Politics, Economics
- Human Geography, Economics, Law
Sample enrichment activities
- Dorset Coast field trip
- Current Affairs and News Club
- Houses of Parliament trip
- Debating Society
- History Film Club
- Trinity Arts awards
Sample academic calendar (2023-2024)
Year 1
- 11th: term starts
- Student induction
- 23 – 27th: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs and talks
- 50th: term ends
- End of term exams
- 15th – 16th: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs
- End of term exams
- 22nd: term ends
Recommended reading
Below is a list of text books normally used on this course, as well as books which may help you prepare for your studies prior to arrival. In many cases the textbooks will be supplied by the school, and you may borrow them for the duration of your time at school. However, if you already know what three subjects you want to choose you may prefer to purchase one before you arrive.
- Geography An Integrated Approach 4th Edition, by David Waugh, published by Nelson Thornes
- New Grade 9-1 GCSE Geography AQA Revision Guide
- GCSE 9-1 Geography AQA Revision Guide 18 Jan 2018 by Tim Bayliss and Rebecca Tudor
Progression
Below are some of the recent students who took the Human Geography module, including information about the university they progressed to and the degree course they are doing.
Recent alumni
- Geography/Maths/Economics/Data/CSS
- Loughborough University
- International Business
- Geography/Economics/Government and Politics/CSS/Data
- University of Leeds
- Law
- Geography/Economics/Government and Politics/Data/CSS
- University of Bath
- Politics and Economics
- Geography/Economics/Government and Politics/Data/CSS
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- International Relations and Politics
