Geography
Exam board: AQA
Qualification type: GCSE
Course code: 8035
Contact: Mr James – mjames@retfordoaks-ac.org.uk
This exciting course is based on a balanced framework of physical and human geography. It allows students to investigate the link between the two themes, and approach and examine the battles between the man-made and natural worlds.
What will be studied?
• Living with the physical environment
• Challenges in the human environment
• Geographical applications
Why study geography?
Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom, higher income countries, newly emerging economies and lower income countries. 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.
Assessment structure
The course involves a two year study period (plus half a year in year 9). Students must have studied the three units over the period of two years before they can sit both examinations and participate in two pieces of fieldwork.
Paper 1: living with the physical environment – written exam, 1 hour, 30 minutes (35%)
Paper 2: challenges in the human environment – written exam, 1 hour, 30 minutes (35%)
Paper 3: geographical applications – written exam, 1 hour, 15 minutes (30%)
Career opportunities
• Meteorology
• Finance
• Journalism
• Teaching
• Graphic design
• Surveying
• Transport
• Conservation
• Tourism
• Hotel management
This is just the tip of the iceberg!
