GCSE Geography (AQA)
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WHY STUDY GEOGRAPHY?
There has never been a more important time for students to study Geography. From climate change to natural disasters and Brexit to social inequality, Geography is the subject of an ever-changing and increasingly complex world. Geography is about finding patterns in the world’s complexity, and we aim
to give a deep and secure knowledge of Geography so that students can start to make sense of the world. The course will deepen understanding of geographical processes, highlighting the impact of change and the interactions between people and the environment. Geography is a dynamic subject. Therefore, the course will also help students understand topical issues in the news and the world around them and provide them with transferable skills such as critical thinking, data presentation and interpretation.
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
The GCSE is a natural progression from Key Stage 3 Geography and provides ideal preparation for A-Level studies. Students will be taught a wide variety of different topics and skills. These include:
Geographical Skills and Fieldwork
Using a range of maps, atlases, satellite images and other digital material, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Students will undertake fieldwork in two different environments (one on location, e.g. in a city, and one in a physical location, e.g. in a river). Previous fieldwork locations have allowed students to revise key case studies of Longbridge, Birmingham and Bewdley, Worcestershire.
Human Geography
• Urban Issues and Challenges, with an in-depth study of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and then contrasting it with Birmingham, UK
• Changing Economic World, with the opportunity to study two countries, case studies of Nigeria and the UK
• Resource Management looks at the supply and demand of food, energy and water in the UK before expanding to look at global water issues.
Physical Geography
• Natural Hazards, including earthquakes and volcanoes, climate change and extreme weather
• The Living World, focusing on tropical rainforests and hot deserts
• Physical landscapes of the UK, focusing on rivers and coasts
HOW WILL STUDENTS BE ASSESSED
Students will be assessed through three written examinations at the end of the course.
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment – 35%
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment – 35%
Paper 3: Geographical applications – 30%
CAREERS LINKS
Geography helps students to develop a range of skills, including communication, problem-solving, analytical, organisational and IT skills. Students will be handling data, writing reports and justifying the decisions they make. These are all important transferable skills, and this is why employers rate a GCSE in Geography highly. Students will also notice that Geography has lots of synoptic links to other subjects due to both physical and human topics being assessed.
Further information on this specification is available from the qualification website:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/specification-at-a-glance