Geography provides pupils with many of the life skills they will need as they move from their communities and begin to experience the world around them. In short, Geography is the ideal subject for pupils to learn about their place in the world. Field trips are built into the topics to encourage learning outside the classroom and active learning within the classroom stimulates the students and enhances their experiences.
Learners will acquire attributes which will be important for their life and work. In the Nationals course pupils will be out researching in the community during their project and this is particularly enjoyable for the pupils.
National 4
Content covered here is Human Environments, Physical Environments and Global Issues. Pupils must complete three end-of-unit assessments to pass the course and also an Added Value Unit (a research project) is compulsory at National 4 level. This research project lets the students choose an area of particular interest to them and investigate it through their own personal research supported by their class teacher.
National 5
Content here is the same as in the National 3/4 course but in more detail. However, this course has an external SQA assessment andan Assignment which makes up 20% of the overall grade.
Higher
Content currently covered in this course is from the Physical Environments, Human Environments, Global Issues and an assignment. This includes a wide range of topics from a variety of global regions.
Entry Requirements
Assessment
The National 5 exam consists of the assignment write-up (1 hour) and an exam (2h 20 minutes). The Higher course consists of a written exam with two papers – Physical and Human environment (1h 50m) and a Geographical Skills paper (1h 10m) as well as an assignment (1 hour 30 minutes).
Progression
Pupils with Geography qualifications are particularly suited to Science and Social Science courses in University. A range of employers and universities regard Geography qualifications as desirable and often essential. There are many jobs presently, and in the future, which are closely linked with the environment. The government is focussed on renewable energies for future employment and Geography fits in well with these aims. Geography can set you up well for these opportunities.
