Edexcel

Field-course options for GCE A-levels, tailored for the Edexcel specification:

Level

Unit

Topic

Fieldwork

A/S
1 Global Challenges
World at Risk
 A CASE STUDY OF THE RIVER WYE – The impact and management of flooding
BLAINA LANDSLIP – A study of the causes, characteristics and human response to the landslip at Blaina
2 Geographical Investigations
Extreme Weather
 A CASE STUDY OF THE RIVER WYE – The impact and management of flooding
Crowded Coasts
 HUMAN IMPACT AND MANAGEMENT OF KENFIG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE (sand dunes)
REGENERATION IN CARDIFF BAY – Considering the environmental costs and economic benefits of the Cardiff Bay barrage, including visits to Mermaid Quay, the Cardiff Bay Barrage and compensatory nature reserve
COASTAL EROSION AND MANAGEMENT – A study into coastal processes and landforms on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, assessing current management and investigating alternatives, contrasting that with defences at Aberthaw power station
Unequal Spaces
 URBAN INEQUALITY IN CARDIFF  – A comparative study of inner city, (includes studentification), suburban and urban-rural fringe areas, looking at residential quality, environmental quality and other socio-economic indicators
RURAL INEQUALITY – Investigating the differences between declining and growing villages covering the themes of second homes, counter-urbanisation, decline in rural services and changes to the rural economy
Rebranding Places
 BLAENAFON HERITAGE TOURISM – This day explores the role of tourism as the driving force for regeneration of the economy and environment of the town, including a visit to the award winning Big Pit Mining Museum and other tourist venues (all museums are free to enter)
REBRANDING CARDIFF BAY – An evaluation of the success of the regeneration scheme, considering social, economic and environmental implications
REBRANDING STRATEGIES IN THE BRECON BEACONS– Investigating the range of stakeholders and strategies at work in the National Park: choose from a range of optional venues (including Talgarth –featured in BBC’s ‘Village SOS’ -see summary document)

A2[1]
4 Geographical Research
Cold Environments
 GLACIATION STUDY – A visit to the Brecon Beacons to sketch and/or map a range of erosional and depositional landforms including cirques, arêtes, pyramidal peaks, U-shaped valleys and different types of moraine
Leisure & Tourism
 CONSUMING THE RURAL LANDSCAPE – An exploration of the range of uses of the rural landscape, investigating their impacts and sustainability, focusing on the tourism industry

[1] Other possibilities relating to the Contested Planet Unit could also be developed if required (e.g. energy security)