Coursework Advisory Service - GCE Geography - Independent Investigation Proposal Guidance

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Putri

Guidance for GCE Geography coursework advisory service covers the purpose and requirements of a non-examination independent investigation. It explains that students must define a question or issue linked to the specification, use fieldwork data and research or secondary data, and produce analysis, evaluation, and extended writing. It outlines submission responsibilities via teachers, centre submission timing rules, and mandatory information provided per candidate, plus FAQ expectations on advice and response times.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose and investigation requirements

Proposal submission rules and centre scheduling

Information required per candidate

Feedback and teacher guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Approval requirements

Response timelines and advice limitations

Fieldwork scope and data types

Using primary and secondary data

Coursework Advisory Service GCE Geography The purpose of this non-examination assessment is to test students’ skills in independent investigation. Students are required to undertake an independent investigation that involves (but which need not be restricted to) fieldwork. The focus of the investigation must be derived from the specification. The guidance for word length is 3000-4000 words. The student independently defines a question or issue relating to the compulsory or optional content. The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and their own research and/or secondary data. The student’s report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing. The proposal must be submitted by the teacher on behalf of the candidate. The email address provided must be from a member of staff. We will be unable to provide advice if these requirements are not met. All submissions from a centre must be submitted together at the same time. For example, if you would like to use the service for 30 candidates in your cohort, you need to submit all 30 in one submission. If a centre uses the service more than once, per academic year, we will be unable to give the additional advice. If you would like feedback on your student’s independent investigation proposal(s), please submit your query via the Coursework Advisory Service. The Coursework Advisory Service is a service for teachers to better understand how their students’ proposals allow access to the assessment criteria. Therefore it may contain specific guidance for teachers. This should inform future teaching and learning about the first stage on the route to enquiry: ‘Purpose, identification of a suitable question/aim/hypothesis and developing a focus’. It is important that teachers do not share the coursework advisory service feedback directly with students but only give general guidance. For examples of general and specific guidance please see Appendix 14 in the specification and the Guide to developing titles and completing the proposal form. You will need to provide the following information for each candidate: 􀁸 Submission date 􀁸 Investigation title 􀁸 How the title links to the specification content 􀁸 Planned investigation hypothesis or question/sub-questions 􀁸 Investigation focus 􀁸 Planned methodology We will be unable to offer advice if you fail to provide all the information above. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Do I have to submit my independent investigation proposal for approval? No. It is not compulsory to submit all proposals. The service is to offer advice to teachers, based on the information you provide, as to the appropriateness of the proposal. Q: When can I expect to receive a response to my submission? We will aim to respond to your submission within 20 working days, however, at peak times such as the exams period (May, June and July), it may take up to 30 working days. Q: Why do I need to provide so much information about my student’s fieldwork and research? An appropriate fieldwork and research data programme is essential if there is to be a meaningful analysis and conclusions for the chosen title. Our advisers will be unable to provide advice without the full range of information. Q: Does my title have to relate to only the compulsory topics in the specification? No. It can come from any part of the specification, both the compulsory or optional content. Q: Does my programme of fieldwork have to relate to processes in both physical and human geography? It is a DfE requirement that all A level Geography students complete 4 days of fieldwork. Fieldwork must cover processes in physical and human geography. The Independent Investigation could be based on either physical or human geography. Alternatively, students could choose to do investigations with a people–environment theme. The key point is that

FAQs

Is it compulsory to submit the independent investigation proposal for approval?

No. Submitting proposals is not compulsory. The service provides advice to teachers based on the information provided, focusing on whether the proposal is appropriate.

How long will it take to receive a response after submitting to the service?

Responses are usually aimed within 20 working days. During peak exam periods (May, June, and July), it may take up to 30 working days.

What fieldwork and data requirements apply for A level Geography independent investigations?

Students must complete 4 days of fieldwork covering processes in both physical and human geography, and the independent investigation can be based on either. All awarding organisations require qualitative and/or quantitative data as appropriate and justifiable.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Putri