IB Geography

Applications open: Monday 17th November 2025

Applications close: Monday 12th January 2026

Entry requirements: Five GCSEs including: Maths and English at Grade 4.

How to apply: We do not accept KentChoices applications. All applications must be made by clicking on the following link - https://leighacademyrainham.applicaa.com/sixthform

The aims of the Geography course are to enable students to:

-Develop an understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between people, places, spaces and the environment at different scales

-Develop a critical awareness and consider complexity thinking in the context of the nexus of geographic issues, including: acquiring an in-depth understanding of how geographic issues, or wicked problems, have been shaped by powerful human and physical processes & synthesising diverse geographic knowledge in order to form viewpoints about how these issues could be resolved

-Understand and evaluate the need for planning and sustainable development through the management of resources at varying scales.

Core Content:

The core curriculum is divided into two main areas:

1) Geographic Perspectives – Global Change: This section examines fundamental global transformations, including: Population distribution and its dynamic changes, Global climate, focusing on vulnerability and resilience to its impacts, Issues related to global resource consumption and security.

2) Global Perspectives – Global Interactions: This part explores the interconnectedness of the world, covering: Power dynamics, places, and networks in a global context, Patterns of human development and diversity, Analysis of global risks and resilience strategies.

Students will also study one of the following specialised themes from:

Geophysical hazards

Leisure, tourism and sport

Food and health

Urban environments

Paper 1: Optional Themes (35% of total grade)

This paper focuses on the optional geographical theme. Each chosen option will have a structured question and one extended answer question from a choice of two.

Paper 2: Core Content (25% of total grade)

This paper assesses your knowledge of the core content through two sections:

Section A: Three structured questions based on each SL/HL core unit

Section B: Questions based on an infographic or visual stimulus, including structured questions and one extended answer question from a choice of two.

Paper 3: Higher Level Extension (20% of total grade)

It focuses on geographic perspectives, specifically the "global interactions" core content, requiring a deeper level of analysis.

Internal Assessment (20% of total grade)

This component is coursework-based, allowing you to undertake an individual geographical inquiry.

5 GCSES at Grade 9-4. *For those who have studied Geography at GCSE you will need a Grade 6. For those who have not studied Geography at GCSE you will require a Grade 5 in English and a Grade 5 in Maths.

A Geography background can lead to exciting careers in:

Environmental Management & Sustainability: Working to protect natural resources and combat climate change.

Urban & Rural Planning: Designing communities, infrastructure, and managing land use.

GIS & Data Analysis: Using powerful mapping software to solve complex spatial problems (e.g., for businesses, government, or conservation).

International Development: Addressing global inequalities and supporting sustainable growth.

Tourism & Leisure: Understanding destinations and managing visitor impacts.

Meteorology & Climate Science: Predicting weather patterns and studying climate change.

Geology & Earth Sciences: Investigating the Earth's physical processes and resources.