GEOGRAPHY
SCQF LEVEL 6 - HIGHER
The Higher Geography course provides an opportunity for pupils to develop key geographical skills and content knowledge.
The Higher course is divided into 4 sections, Physical Environments, Human Environments, Global Issues and the Application of Geographical Skills.
While studying through the Physical Environments section of the course, pupils will examine the processes that have shaped our coastlines, mountains and rivers, while also examining soil formations and global weather patterns. For the Human Environments section of the course, pupils will examine our urban and rural landscapes, while also analysing population characteristics. Completion of the Global Issues section requires pupils to geographically analyse river basin management techniques as well as global development and health strategies. The Application of Geographical Skills is the final section and will require pupils to engage with complex map interpretation and analysis.
QUALIFICATION
Higher
DURATION
1 Year full time/
5 periods per week
COURSEWORK
Assignment of 1 hour
EXAM
Paper 1 (1 hour 50 mins)
Paper 2 (1 hour 10 mins)
COST
0
TEACHERS
Miss Strachan
Mr McNiven
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
Higher Geography offers you the opportunity to study and understand the landscapes around us. Whether you are interest in understanding your local environment, or that of the wider World, you will find the Higher Geography course has the breadth and depth needed. The Higher Geography course will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to interpret many of the complex geographical aspects of the contemporary world. You will be challenged to look at the world in new ways, understand more about your sense of identity, and learn about different countries and cultures. By studying Geography you will build up a framework of geographical knowledge and understanding which will be increasing valued in a globalised world.
You will gain experience both contributing to group work and working on your own, when taking part in investigative and critical-thinking activities. You will be required to complete the Higher Geography assignment which will see you conduct critical analysis of your own research techniques and evaluate relevant geographical sources. Fieldwork is also a fundamental part of studying Geography and therefore you will visit locations that allow you to implement your newly acquired geographical knowledge, such as our coastal research trip to Cullen. Through class discussions and analysis of complex geographical issues, you will also come to experience differing approaches and perspectives on environmental and social concerns and strategies.
KEY FACTS
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
entry requirements
It is recommended that entry to the Higher Geography course is conditional on you having achieved a National 5 qualification in Geography, another Social Subject or English. Please speak to either Mr McNiven or Miss Strachan is you wish further information regarding entry into Higher Geography.
what will you get?
The course is graded
A: Band 1, Band 2
B: Band 3, Band 4
C: Band 5, Band 6
D: Band 7
You will achieve a wide range of geographical skills and techniques as well as an understanding of the complex ways in which people and the environment interact in response to physical and human processes. As well as this the statistical and graphical skills needed to complete a quality geographical assignment will have provided you with the ability to conduct future high quality investigations.
progress
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
EMPLOYMENT
By achieving a Higher qualification in Geography you will have a gained a valued and respected qualification which will demonstrate to prospective employers and institutions that you have successfully developed core geographical skills and knowledge that will allow you to better understand the complex environmental interactions that increasingly exist today. Geography gives you the breadth of knowledge and the problem-solving skills needed in a huge range of sectors. Geography students are highly employable, whether in careers directly related to their geographical knowledge (such as planning, environmental management, geology and surveying), or those which use the wide range of transferable skills developed such as, data interpretation, map analysis and communications skills.
my world of work
This link will take you to an excellent resource on MyWOW which looks at potential career routes when you select a combination of subjects.
STUDENT STORIES
Information from pupils who have studied this course as to how they feel it was.
Holly MacKinnon - S6
I chose to study Higher Geography in order to develop my understanding of society and the environment, and because I believe that Geography is becoming increasingly relevant and important. Although I enjoyed all aspects of the course, I particularly enjoyed the human sections of the course as it has exposed me to different societies and cultures. I also enjoyed the fieldtrip as it allowed me to transfer and apply what I had learnt in class to outside of the classroom. It was also beneficial to me when it came to collecting data for my assignment and writing my findings up. I would recommend the course as I thought it was interesting and I have learned many things which have been useful to me in my other subjects.
Lewis McGougan - S5
The reason I chose to take Higher Geography was because I was very interested in learning about how glaciers, waves and rivers form the landscape around us. Geography is an intriguing and enjoyable subject where there is the opportunity to work in groups, use geographical equipment and experience class fieldtrips. I would strongly recommend this subject as it provides you with a very wide range of knowledge and skills which can be used later in school or beyond.
