Higher Geography

DURATION

1 year /240 Hours

COURSEWORK

Assignment 27% of award

EXAM

Question Papers 73% of award

COST

no cost

What will you learn?

The principal aim of Higher Geography is to develop a detailed understanding of the world, its citizens and issues affecting the planet. To be able to make decisions using a range of geographical information.

Unit 1: Physical Environments

The study of the:

  • Atmosphere

  • Hydrosphere

  • Biosphere

  • Glaciation

  • Coasts

Unit 2: Human Environments

  • Population

  • Rural Geography

  • Urban Geography

Unit 3: Global Issues

Pupils will study examples of two Global Issues chosen from:

  • River basin management

  • Development and health

  • Global climate change

  • Trade, aid and geopolitics

  • Energy

Unit 4: Geographical Skills

Using maps, data, graphs and photographs to make decisions about an environmental/planning issue

Assignment

Candidates identify a topic to research and then use fieldwork or other methods of research to collect relevant data and information. They must process their data and evaluate it, drawing conclusions.

Why do this course?

The course develops candidates’ understanding of our changing world, its human interactions and physical processes. Practical activities, including fieldwork, provide opportunities for candidates to interact with their environment. The study of geography encourages positive lifelong attitudes of environmental stewardship, sustainability and global citizenship. The course provides candidates with the skills, knowledge and understanding to contribute effectively to their local communities and wider society

What will you experience?

A wide range of teaching strategies are used with classes, such as thinking skills, direct teaching, paired and/or group work. Work in class is supported through the use of work guides, text books, study notes, ICT and other digital media. Pupils are expected to take on responsibility for their learning.

Key Facts

Everything you need to know before selecting this course

Assessment

There are two final exam papers as well as the Assignment.

Question paper 1: Physical environments and human environments (100 marks), 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Question paper 2: Global issues and geographical skills (60 marks), 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Assignment : Candidates produce a two sided sheet of processed information on their chosen topic and use this to help them ‘write up’ an assignment. This is conducted in class in 90 minutes when the candidate is ready. The assignment will have 30 marks.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Entry is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher Faculty, Humanities. However, as a guide:

  • A pass a the previous NQ level. i.e. for Higher, a pass at National 5.

Homework

Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis, this will be available on TEAMs.

Progression and Employment

Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course

Progression


Employment



Learner Experiences

Geography helps you keep on track with world issues such as climate change and natural disasters.

I like geography because it is very interesting and you learn lots of new, useful things & skills (e.g. map reading).

I chose to do geography through all of the national levels because I enjoy learning about all the things that are going on around me such as learning about landscapes and rivers because it is something that we all see on a regular basis.

I chose to continue geography through Nat5 and Higher because it’s very logical and the knowledge can be transferred easily onto real world situations.