Geography IGCSE

Geography IGCSE

Course Length

One or two years.

The Course

Geography deals with the description and explanation of landscape features which make up the physical and human environment and, perhaps most challenging of all, examines the interaction between the two. Using varied resources including maps, visual media and GIS, you will have the opportunity to investigate important geographical issues with relevance both to the UK and across the globe. You will develop skills in independent thought, teamwork, enquiry and analysis, as well as an increased awareness of other environments, societies and cultures. You will participate in informed responsible decision making in relation to geographical news that affects themselves and others around them. In addition the examination includes separate fieldwork assessment, which is undertaken by the whole class as part of their learning.

This one-year IGCSE course offers both a challenging and demanding programme which provides students with a good grounding for Geography at A level. The subject also has strong cross-curricular relationships with other subjects including the Sciences, Business Studies, Economics and Citizenship.

The course consists of two papers, assessing Physical Geography and Human Geography:

Physical Geography Students study river environments and hazardous environments (Section A), and complete fieldwork on river environments (Section B).

Human Geography Students study economic activity & energy and urban environments (Section A), and globalisation & migration (Section C). They complete fieldwork on urban environments (Section B).

What skills do I need?

You should have an interest in a broad range of Geographical issues. Skills in analysis of graphs, maps, and statistics will be useful but will be developed throughout the course. Knowledge of data collection and how to conduct research will also be useful.

How is the course assessed?

The course is assessed through two written papers: Paper 1 (Physical Geography): a 1 hour 10 minute paper worth 40% of the IGCSE. Paper 2 (Human Geography): a 1 hour 45 minute paper worth 60% of the IGCSE. The questions are a mixture of multiple-choice, short answer, data-response and open-ended questions.

Reading

Edexcel IGCSE Geography
By M. Witherick, S. Milner
Published by Pearson Education, ISBN 978-0435016951

Exam Board and Specification Code

Pearson-Edexcel 4GE0

Elizabeth Ryan
Head of Department