Previous knowledge
Students who are thinking of taking Geography need not have completed GCSE Geography. However, students are required to be organised, keen and enthusiastic in developing and implementing new skills. All students must be proficient in English and competent at mathematics. Students who have not studied Geography immediately before Diploma level, will only gain access to the course after an interview with the IB Coordinator and the Head of Geography to assess their suitability. (See ‘Who is the IB Diploma Programme for?)

Geography SL and HL
The core theme provides an overview of the key global issues which are of current interest. Students will study the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, in particular those concentrating on poverty reduction, gender equality, improvements in health and education and environmental sustainability.

Students will study the following two optional themes:

Option D - Hazards and Disasters
Students will investigate the causes, effects and impact of various hazards including earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts and human induced hazards. This will be taught through a variety of case studies. The focus of the unit is to evaluate the human responses and adjustments to such hazards.

Option E - Leisure, Sport and Tourism
This is an exciting, new topic which is of current interest.
This option provides students with the opportunity to examine social behaviour, conflict and the economic impact of leisure, sport and tourism.

Geography HL only
Higher level students will study Option G: Urban Environments. They will investigate cities as a place of social interaction, wealth generation and consumption. They will also study environmental concerns of cities and evaluate how urban environments can become more sustainable.

Assessment
All students will be formally examined at the end of the two-year course. In addition students will be required to undertake Internal Assessment, where they will have to produce a written report based on a fieldtrip.