Geography

Why study Geography? 

Geography IGCSE is for those who take an interest in what is happening in the world and who enjoy working things out for themselves, for instance by watching documentaries and reading newspapers. 

The course will appeal to those pupils who are interested in:  

The issues which affect people and the places they live in.  

How villages, towns and cities are changing and why.  

How people are affecting the environment we all live in.  

What causes different landscapes. 

And those who …  

Enjoy travel and finding out about new people, places and landscapes. 

Enjoy a subject that is relevant to their lives and experiences. 

Want the opportunity to do fieldwork as well as classwork. 

Over the two years of the course pupils have the opportunity to participate in a field course. This involves a day-long rivers investigation in the Peak District, where pupils are taught how to observe, collect data and analyse it in preparation for their alternative to coursework examination paper.

What does the course involve? 

Over the course of the two years, we study topics in two broad areas – Human and Physical Geography. 

Paper 1: Physical Geography 

• Candidates study the following five topics:  

• Changing river environments 

• Changing coastal environments 

• Changing ecosystems  

• Tectonic hazards 

• Climate change.  

Paper 2: Human Geography 

• Candidates study the following five topics: 

• Changing populations 

• Changing towns and cities  

• Development  

• Changing economies  
• Resource provision. 

How is the course assessed?

The course is assessed with three exam papers at the end of Year 11. Paper 1 is worth 36% and requires longer answers based around the Physical Geography topics we have studied. Paper 2 is the Human paper – again worth 36%. The third paper is based on fieldwork skills that we develop on our field course. 

What can a GCSE in Geography lead to?  

Geography is a broad-based academic subject which will open up options for you in your future. Employers and universities see Geography as a robust academic subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. As a subject linking the arts and the sciences, it is highly flexible in terms of what you can combine it with, both at GCSE and A Level.

What skills does the Geography course develop?

There are so many ways of learning in Geography. It is very practical, with opportunities to learn new skills such as modern computer-based mapping (called GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. You will improve your literacy through your report writing and written work and make practical use of your numeracy skills when you interpret data and construct graphs. Fieldwork, or working outside the classroom, is also a really important part of Geography.