There is no coursework component needed to complete IGCSE or GCSE Geography for AQA GCSE Geography (8035) or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Geography (9-1) (4GE1). For private candidates taking Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460), there is an 'alternative to coursework' component to take as an examination. So, students can attain the qualification by examination only. There are quite a few similarities between the courses, so read through the syllabus and the specification and choose carefully.
Each examination board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each examination board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have taught or tutored Cambridge IGCSE Geography for several years, so I am very familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Geography offered by the other two exam boards shown.
Each examination board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each examination board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have taught or tutored Cambridge IGCSE Geography for several years, so I am very familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Geography offered by the other two exam boards shown.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel:
AQA GCSE Geography (8035)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-geography-0460/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Geography (9-1) (4GE1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-geography-2017.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-geography-0460/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Geography (9-1) (4GE1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-geography-2017.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
There are endorsed textbooks that are closely aligned to exam board courses and these will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each exam board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
AQA GCSE Geography (8035)
- Widdowson, J. et al. (2016) AQA GCSE (9-1) Geography. ISBN: 9781471859922 [Endorsed]
- Rae, A. et al (2016) GCSE Geography for AQA: Student Book. ISBN: 9781316604632 [Endorsed]
- Rowles, N. (2016) GCSE Geography AQA: Student Book. ISBN: 9780198366614 [Endorsed]
Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460)
- Amritage, S. (2014) Approaches to learning and teaching Geography: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781316640623 [Endorsed]
- Guiness, P, & Nagle, G. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Geography: Workbook, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510421387 [Endorsed]
- Cambers, G. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Geography: Cambridge Elevate Teacher's Resource. ISBN: 9781108457026 [Endorsed]
- Cambers, G. & Sibley, S. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Geography: Coursebook with CD-ROM, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781108339186 [Endorsed]
- Guinness, P. & Nagle, G. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Geography: Online Teacher's Guide. ISBN: 9781510424166 [Endorsed]
- Davies, D. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Geography: Revision Guide. ISBN: 9781108440325 [Endorsed]
- Guinness, P. & Nagle, G. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Geography, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9789781510421363 [Endorsed]
- Davies, D. (2017) Cambridge IGCSE Geography: Revision Guide, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781316635490 [Endorsed]
- Belfield, J. et al (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Geography: Student's Book. ISBN: 9780008260156 [Endorsed]
- Kitchen, R. (2018) Letts Cambridge IGCSE Geography Revision Guide. ISBN: 9780008210359 [Endorsed]
Pearson Edexcel International Geography (9-1) (4GE1)
- Witherick, M. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Geography Student Book and ActiveBook. ISBN:9780435184834 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE Geography
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSE or GCSE Geography. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
https://www.pumpkin-interactive.co.uk/collections/geography
High quality case studies to complement textbook learning. You have to buy either the video or DVD, but these are well worth the money for a school or department.
http://www.geographyalltheway.com/
Prepared by an experienced Geography teacher, this site has material for teachers and students. There are some excellent free resources, but this is a subscription-based site.
www.nationmaster.com
A very useful resource site, filled with data and statistics on a wide range of geographical topics. Compare different LEDC and MEDC countries for population, economy, agricultural and environmental information. For case study work, collect relevant data on countries studied. A worthwhile resource for teachers and students (though it has irritating pop ups).
www.usgs.gov
An American-based site that has a lot of up-to-date information on all sorts of topics. Check out the seismic activity around the world for the last seven days, as well as plenty of resources under the Hazards and Education section.
http://www.geography.org.uk/resources
Though this has subscription material, this site contains links to other sites for geography topics as well as some free resources.
https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/geoactive/;jsessionid=D65ADACEBAF64F9EC0DB6B5E5C7A3F38?region=international
This link will direct you to a subscription site, GeoActive, for an amazing amount of case studies for geography. You can download one or two samples to have a look at the quality of the work. If you like consolidating knowledge through more case studies than you have in your textbook, it may be worth the subscription.
www.census.gov
A useful resource for teachers and students who want to see different population pyramids for countries under study. Go to People and Households link, and then choose the International option. Under the quick links, choose the International Data Base (IDB) and then Data Access. Select the country, year of the population and then click on the population pyramid tab to see the structure. By choosing LEDC and MEDC countries, the population structures can be easily compared. The site can also show how the population has changed over time or is predicted to change.
www.stepin.org
A website on sustainable technology throughout the world, concerned with agriculture, industry and energy resources. This is a useful reference tool and provides interesting case studies.
http://geographyfieldwork.com/GCSE.htm
A reference tool for fieldwork carried out in and around Barcelona. There are field trips offered that cover GCSE topics, with supporting information on the website about particular areas. An interesting site, with added notes on many topics in Geography.
www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
The American-based CIA world fact book gives comprehensive data on every country in the world. Fascinating facts are based on geography, population, economy and more. A useful resource when gathering facts for case studies, or for comparisons.
http://www.geography-fieldwork.org/
What a wonderful site. This gives great ideas for fieldwork, and if you want to go on some fieldwork courses, there are plenty scattered around the UK.
https://www.populationeducation.org/content/what-demographic-transition-model
http://www.prb.org/publications/datasheets/2011/world-population-data-sheet/uganda.aspx
These two websites were really useful to give examples of countries in different stages of the demographic transition model.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zkw76sg
BBC Bitesize Geography revision. Plenty to do and keep the geography content front of mind.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
High quality case studies to complement textbook learning. You have to buy either the video or DVD, but these are well worth the money for a school or department.
http://www.geographyalltheway.com/
Prepared by an experienced Geography teacher, this site has material for teachers and students. There are some excellent free resources, but this is a subscription-based site.
www.nationmaster.com
A very useful resource site, filled with data and statistics on a wide range of geographical topics. Compare different LEDC and MEDC countries for population, economy, agricultural and environmental information. For case study work, collect relevant data on countries studied. A worthwhile resource for teachers and students (though it has irritating pop ups).
www.usgs.gov
An American-based site that has a lot of up-to-date information on all sorts of topics. Check out the seismic activity around the world for the last seven days, as well as plenty of resources under the Hazards and Education section.
http://www.geography.org.uk/resources
Though this has subscription material, this site contains links to other sites for geography topics as well as some free resources.
https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/geoactive/;jsessionid=D65ADACEBAF64F9EC0DB6B5E5C7A3F38?region=international
This link will direct you to a subscription site, GeoActive, for an amazing amount of case studies for geography. You can download one or two samples to have a look at the quality of the work. If you like consolidating knowledge through more case studies than you have in your textbook, it may be worth the subscription.
www.census.gov
A useful resource for teachers and students who want to see different population pyramids for countries under study. Go to People and Households link, and then choose the International option. Under the quick links, choose the International Data Base (IDB) and then Data Access. Select the country, year of the population and then click on the population pyramid tab to see the structure. By choosing LEDC and MEDC countries, the population structures can be easily compared. The site can also show how the population has changed over time or is predicted to change.
www.stepin.org
A website on sustainable technology throughout the world, concerned with agriculture, industry and energy resources. This is a useful reference tool and provides interesting case studies.
http://geographyfieldwork.com/GCSE.htm
A reference tool for fieldwork carried out in and around Barcelona. There are field trips offered that cover GCSE topics, with supporting information on the website about particular areas. An interesting site, with added notes on many topics in Geography.
www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
The American-based CIA world fact book gives comprehensive data on every country in the world. Fascinating facts are based on geography, population, economy and more. A useful resource when gathering facts for case studies, or for comparisons.
http://www.geography-fieldwork.org/
What a wonderful site. This gives great ideas for fieldwork, and if you want to go on some fieldwork courses, there are plenty scattered around the UK.
https://www.populationeducation.org/content/what-demographic-transition-model
http://www.prb.org/publications/datasheets/2011/world-population-data-sheet/uganda.aspx
These two websites were really useful to give examples of countries in different stages of the demographic transition model.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zkw76sg
BBC Bitesize Geography revision. Plenty to do and keep the geography content front of mind.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.