Geography GCSE
GCSE Geography is a single GCSE consisting of two exams and a controlled assessment based on a local field based investigation. It is a very useful qualification and allows entry onto A level Geography.
Entry Requirements
Four GCSEs at least grade D or above, preferably including GCSE English Language and Maths.
Students do not need to have studied Geography previously, but do need to have an interest in the topic to be studied.
Course Content
Unit one: Physical Geography Exam ……… 1 hr 30 mins (37.5%)
Section A:
Students will develop concepts about the Earth, Rocks, Resources and Scenery. They will learn about the challenges that natural phenomena, such as tectonic activity, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, weather and climate have on the living world/ecosystems. Students will also develop an understanding of landscape and land use. Students will be expected to analyse and interpret OS maps, country maps, world maps, photographs and satellite images.
Section B:
Students will learn about Water on the land, Ice on the land and The Coastal Zone. Students will look at river landscapes and how rivers shape the earth’s surface and the landforms they produce. They will also learn about glaciers and how distinctive landforms are formed from glacial activity. Finally students will look at how the coast is changing through distinct processes such as erosion, deposition, weathering and how all these processes are being managed.
Unit two: Human Geography Exam ………. 1 hr 30 mins (37.5%)
Section A:
Students will learn about population, world population growth, reasons for changes in birth and death rates, implications of emigration and immigration. They will also develop an understanding about the changing urban and rural environments. They will look at globalisation, urban morphology, economic, social, environmental and political reasons why people live in a specific place in the world.
Section B:
Students will learn about The Development Gap, Globalisation and Tourism. They will look at the contrasts in development along with global inequalities. Students will look at contrasting conditions in less and more economically developed countries, and the consequences of trade and aid. Finally, the learner will look at tourism and the global impact it has on the world at social, economic, political and environmental levels.
Unit three: Controlled assessment: 2,000 words (25%)
This unit consists of a local fieldwork investigation at a small scale.
Students will be expected to use all their geographical skills and undertake a small scale investigation, either physical or human geography based. Once the student has collated the data they will have to complete a 6-hour write up under direct supervision.