Course Overview

GCSE GEOGRAPHY (9-1) 8035 

Exam Board: AQA 

Course Content and Skill Development

Geography  will  help  you  understand  the  changing  world  we live  in.  Your  course  is  equally  divided  between  Human  and  Physical  Geography,  and  you  can  study  topics  including:  tropical storms; earthquakes; urban issues; the living world; climate change; poverty; UK landscapes; global population issues; and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Places are important and you will explore a range of real-life examples, from Antarctica to the Amazon Rainforest and everywhere in between!

Your Year 9 Geography course has included GCSE content, so you have already made a head start on the course. This material will be revised at the end of Years 10 and 11. The assessments you complete through Year 9 are all at GCSE standard already – so your achievement in these is a good indication of your potential at GCSE level. With work on exam technique and plenty of revision, we are confident of your ability to succeed. 

You will be able to use a range of skills, including communication, literacy, numeracy, map skills, ICT and problem-solving. These important transferable skills will be developed throughout the course and will help you with other subjects you are studying.

Method of Study

You will learn through a range of activities, as we think that it is important to vary the tasks we do in Geography to help you learn more effectively. The work you do will include group discussion, project work, research, presentations, games, ICT, fieldwork, model-making, videos, music and maybe even cake! Fieldwork is important and the examiners require you to undertake two contrasting fieldwork experiences, which are carefully linked to the topics you are studying. 

Assessment Structure

You will be assessed in three exams at the end of Year 11, each lasting  90  minutes and  assessing  your  understanding  of  Physical  and  Human Geography. The third paper  will examine  your  fieldwork  experiences  as  well  as  your  ability  to  evaluate  a  geographical  issue. There  is  a  pre-release  document  that we  use  in  school prior to the exam, so you will be familiar with the context of the questions. 

Opportunities Beyond Year 11

You might choose to study Geography at A level, or related subjects such as Sociology, Biology, Economics, Business, or even Travel and Tourism BTEC at college. Geography is a useful qualification because it bridges the sciences and humanities, showing that you have a range of skills that employers and universities value. Geography graduates have one of the lowest unemployment rates. Geography keeps your options open and is considered a good qualification for a range of careers. We have had HGS Geography students enter medicine, law, architecture, veterinary science, media, economics, investment banking, farming and biology, to name but a few!