From migrant trafficking and piracy to rising sea levels and sustainable fishing, the breadth and depth of the ocean will be explored by students in OCR’s draft new Geography A Level for 2016. 

For the first time, a new ‘Exploring Oceans’ option on the A Level will offer students the chance to take a more rounded look at oceans through a balanced combination of physical and human geography. The new A Level will be introduced into classrooms from September 2016, subject to Ofqual accreditation.

OCR has introduced the oceans topic as part of a new ‘Geographical Debates’ section of the A Level.  As well as exploring the secrets of the seas – from ownership of polar ice caps to subterranean fossil fuels – students will also be able to study other major global geographical debates including Climate Change, the Future of Food, Disease Dilemmas and Hazardous Earth. 

A Level students will have the opportunity to examine topical events happening in the world around them, such as the Nepal earthquake, the Ebola outbreak and migrancy in the Mediterranean, which are linked to the Debates.

Mark Smith, Subject Specialist for Geography at OCR, said: “With the chance to explore topics like 21^st century piracy, pandemics and plastic pollution, there has never been a more exciting time to study geography at school. Our new specification aims to bring to life the intrinsic links between physical and human geography, giving students a greater understanding of the challenging events they hear about on the news every day.”

He added: “It should come as no surprise that geography students make highly desirable employees for any organisation.” According to the latest Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) survey, geography graduates are more likely to be employed after graduating than those studying almost any other subject.

The use of raw data and fieldwork will also be part of OCR’s new Geography A Level, alongside classic geography topics such as coastal erosion, glacial landforms and urbanisation.   

Fiona Webb, Subject Leader for Geography at Alton College, Hampshire, commented: “We are excited about the possibility of implementing and teaching this new and dynamic specification. The broad range of topics will allow students embarking on A Level Geography to be really enticed and inspired. The fieldwork is a highlight for us, as traditionally we have always carried out four to five days of active fieldwork over the two-year period. All in all, a great package, preparing students to meet the 21^st century challenges with confidence.”

Take a look at OCR’s draft A Level for teaching from 2016. It has been developed following extensive consultation with the members of our geography subject forum, including teachers, university academics and representatives from professional bodies like the Geographical Association.