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Course Description

This exciting and relevant AQA course studies geography in a balanced framework of physical and human themes and investigates the link between them. Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on the basis of three exams, taken at the end of year 11: 

  • Paper 1: Living with the physical environment- (worth 35% of the GCSE) lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes questions consisting of multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response, extended prose
  • Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment (worth 35% of the GCSE) lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes questions consisting of multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response, extended prose
  • Paper 3: Geographical applications- (worth 30% of the GCSE) lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes questions consisting of multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response, extended prose

What will I learn?

Topic

Content

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

  • Section A- The challenge of natural hazards
  • Section B- The living world
  • Section C- Physical landscapes in the UK
  • Geographical skills

Paper 2:  Challenges in the human environment

  • Section A- Urban issues and challenges 
  • Section B- The changing economic world 
  • Section C- The challenge or resource management 
  • Geographical skills

Paper 3: Geographical applications

  • Section A- Issue evaluation 
  • Section B- Fieldwork 
  • Geographical skills

What could I do next?

The study of Geography links with a wide range of career paths across many different job sectors. Learning from physical geography links strongly with careers in environmental science, hazard management, weather forecasting and landscape gardening. In contrast, learning from human geography links more closely with careers such as an architect, lawyer, housing developer, town planning, social work and the emergency services. Geography also links to qualifications in Science, Travel and Tourism, Government and Politics and Citizenship.