Higher Geography
Course information
The course develops learners’ understanding of our changing world, its human interactions and physical processes. Practical activities, including fieldwork, provide opportunities for learners to interact with their environment.
Units of study
Learners will study 4 units in Higher Geography:
Physical Environments
The Physical Environments comprises of four topics:
- Lithosphere looking at how glaciers and coasts shape the land
- Biosphere – the different soils we have in Scotland and how they form
- Hydrosphere – How water is transferred around the drainage basins, how it forms features and flood risks
- Atmosphere – How energy is transferred around the atmosphere and the influence this has on climate.
Human Environments
The Human Environments comprises of three topics:
- Urban – problems and management of housing and traffic in developed (Glasgow) and developing cities (Mumbai)
- Population – How population data is gathered, issues with this and consequences of rising and falling populations, as well as population migrations.
- Rural – land use management in a developing area (desertification in the Sahel) and in a developed area (The Lake District).
Global Issues
For the Global Issues unit we choose 2 topics:
- Development and Health – how development is measured, issues with this, the causes and management of malaria and primary health care strategies.
- Climate Change – human and physical causes of climate change, the impact of climate change and the solutions/management.
Added Value Unit
For the added value unit learners have to conduct their own research project and write it up.
Assessment methods
Question paper 1: Physical and human environments (100 marks). This question paper has 100 marks out of a total of 190 marks. This is scaled by SQA to represent 46% of the overall marks for the course assessment. This question paper enables candidates to demonstrate the application of their skills, knowledge and understanding from the physical environments and human environments sections of the course.
Question paper 2: Global issues and geographical skills (60 marks). This question paper has 60 marks out of a total of 190 marks. This is scaled by SQA to represent 27% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Assignment: The assignment has 30 marks which represents 27% of the overall marks for the course assessment. The assignment enables candidates to demonstrate the application of their skills, knowledge and understanding within the context of a geographical topic or issue.
Entry requirements
A grade A or B at National 5 Geography.
Additional information
For further information, visit the SQA course overview and resources webpage.
