Why study Geography?

This course is designed to enable you to use geographical analysis to develop a detailed understanding of important aspects of the contemporary world. This involves studying the ways that people and the environment interact and examining the environmental issues that arise in a rapidly changing world. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills including research, evaluation and presentation, IT, mapping and statistics.

The skills you learn in Geography are valuable in a wide range of career sectors, including: working with development or aid agencies, environmental work, working for the census office and in tourism and leisure.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

Animals, Land and Environment

Arts, Social Sciences and Languages

Construction

Information, Culture and Heritage

What do I need to get in?

Entry is at the discretion of the school or college but you would normally have achieved:

• National 4 Environmental Science
• National 4 Geography

What will I study?

You will study the features of the earth – such as mountains, rivers and seas – and how they were formed. You will learn how to use a range of equipment and techniques such as map reading, data collection, ICT and problem solving. You will find out about cultures and backgrounds of people from all over the world. There will be opportunities for practical activities, including fieldwork.

The course comprises three areas of study.

Physical Environments

You will study:

• location of landscape type, formation of key landscape features, land use management and sustainability, and weather
• a selection of landscape types from contexts within Scotland and/or the UK. Landscape types are chosen from: glaciated upland, upland limestone, coastal landscapes, and rivers and their valleys.

Human Environments

You will:

• compare developed and developing countries drawn from a global context
• learn about contrasts in development, world population distribution and change, and issues in changing urban and rural landscapes.

Global Issues

You will learn about:

• climate change, natural regions, environmental hazards, trade and globalisation, tourism, and health.

How will I be assessed?

Course Assessment

The course assessment has two components totalling 100 marks:

• Component 1: question paper – worth 80 marks
• Component 2: assignment – worth 20 marks.

The question paper will be set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.

The course assessment is graded A-D.  

Study Materials

• SQA Past Papers Geography National 5
• SQA Specimen Paper Geography National 5 (Question Paper)
• SQA Specimen Paper Geography National 5 (Map Item A)
• SQA Specimen Paper Geography National 5 (Map Item B)
• SQA Understanding Standards Geography
• BBC Bitesize National 5 Geography
• Ushare Study Resources

What can I go on to next?

If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:

• Higher Environmental Science
• Higher Geography

Further study, training or employment in:

• Animals, Land and Environment
• Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
• Town and Regional Planning

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• Geography - Related Careers

Where can my parents find out more?

Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.

They can also read the information leaflet(s):

Nationals in a Nutshell - Geography (National 5)