Pre-U

Field-course options tailored for the Cambridge Pre-U Geography qualification:

Component

Section

Topic

Fieldwork

Component 1: Geographical Issues
A
Hydrological Hazards
 HYDROLOGY AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT STUDY – Downstream changes in river channel processes and characteristics, plus a visit to a defence scheme to discuss reasons for flood risk and flood management in the town
A CASE STUDY OF THE RIVER WYE – The impact and management of flooding in Hereford
B
Spatial Inequality & Poverty
 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 indicators such as crime and health issues
RURAL INEQUALITIES – Investigating the differences between declining and growing villages. Themes covered include second homes, counter-urbanisation, decline in rural services and changes to the rural economy

Component 2: Global Environments
A
Glacial & Periglacial 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, including Kame and Kettle
Coastal Environments
 COASTAL EROSION AND MANAGEMENT – A study into coastal processes and landforms on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Students assess current management and investigate alternatives, for comparison with the defences at Aberthaw power station
PSAMMOSERAL (SAND DUNE) SUCCESSION – A transect through the dune system at Crymlyn Burrows provides an excellent example of the succession process, passing from embryo dunes to scrub woodland, backed by an area of salt marsh.
SAND DUNE MANAGEMENT – Visitor impact on Kenfig Nature Reserve, and management strategies. Nearby, Merthyr Mawr also offers an opportunity to discuss dune mobility issues and management.
B
Temperate Grassland & Forest Environments
 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT -Using the habitats around the Blorenge ‘Mountain’, we are able to demonstrate deciduous woodland vegetation, a plagioclimax community (caused by grazing), succession, and pollarding and other management strategies. Local examples of a podsol and brown earths can be included in this day.

Component 3: Global Themes
A
Migration & Urban Change
 The fieldwork for Spatial Inequality & Poverty is also adaptable for this topic, please see the descriptions above
The World of Work
 INDUSTRIAL CHANGE IN EBBW VALE – Socio-economic and environmental impacts of industrial decline, changing employment, and investment by global companies in this former steel making town
B
The Production of Food
 FARM VISIT – Providing an excellent case study of a Welsh hill sheep farm. The farmer talks to students about the changing face of agriculture, and the role of EU policy in directing these changes; diversification; use of technology in agriculture; farming in a National Park. Other farms could be included for comparison. There is a small additional charge for the farm visit.
Tourism Spaces
 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

Component 4: Research Topic

 Studies offered under this section are dependent on the topic areas set by the examination board. We can offer studies on the themes of deprivation, leisure, micro-climates, environmental degradation, central business districts, rivers and conservation. All of the studies described on this site are potentially suitable, please use the contact form for further details.