GCSE GEOGRAPHY (8035) - Specification - For teaching from September 2016 onwards

Oct 20, 2026

GCSE Geography specification (8035) outlining course structure for delivery from September 2016 and for GCSE exams from 2018 onward. It explains teaching and learning approaches across physical and human themes, the link between them, and key topics such as climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power, and sustainable resource use. It details subject content areas, geographical skills, assessment objectives and weightings, SPaG requirements, and general administration including entries, overlaps, awarding grades, resits, prerequisites, diversity and inclusion, and arrangements for private candidates, plus guidance on using the latest version.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Why choose AQA for GCSE Geography

Support and resources to help you teach

Specification at a glance

Subject content

Assessments

Subject content

Living with the physical environment

Challenges in the human environment

Geographical applications

Geographical skills

Scheme of assessment

Aims and learning outcomes

Assessment objectives

Assessment weightings

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG)

General administration

Entries and codes

| GCSE
GEOGRAPHY
(8035) | | --- | | Specification
For teaching from September 2016 onwards For GCSE exams in 2018 onwards | Version 1.1 12 September 2023 Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Geography 5 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 5 2 Specification at a glance 7 2.1 Subject content 7 2.2 Assessments 7 3 Subject content 9 3.1 Living with the physical environment 9 3.2 Challenges in the human environment 17 3.3 Geographical applications 26 3.4 Geographical skills 29 4 Scheme of assessment 33 4.1 Aims and learning outcomes 33 4.2 Assessment objectives 33 4.3 Assessment weightings 34 4.4 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) 34 5 General administration 37 5.1 Entries and codes 37 5.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 37 5.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 37 5.4 Resits and shelf life 38 5.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 38 5.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 38 5.7 Working with AQA for the first time 39 5.8 Private candidates 39 Are you using the latest version of this specification? • You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at • We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification. 1 Introduction 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Geography Our specification enables a variety of teaching and learning approaches. This exciting and relevant course studies geography in a balanced framework of physical and human themes and investigates the link between them. Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs) . Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes. We created this specification with help from teachers and subject experts and we’re confident you’ll enjoy teaching it as much as your students will enjoy learning. Upon completion of this two year course, students will have the skills and experience to progress onto A-level and beyond. You can find out about all [our Geography qualifications at](our Geography qualifications at aqa.org.uk/geography)[ ](our Geography qualifications at aqa.org.uk/geography)[aqa.org.uk/geography](our Geography qualifications at aqa.org.uk/geography) 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams. Teaching resources [Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 to see all)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 to see all)[aqa.org.uk/8035](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 to see all)[ to see all](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 to see all) our teaching resources. They include: • dedicated student textbooks approved by AQA • specimen question papers and mark schemes to show you what the exam will look like • enhanced schemes of work to provide you with a range of suggestions for lesson activities, resources and more • fieldwork toolkit to support your delivery of this key element of the specification • training courses to help you deliver AQA Geography qualifications • subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly-qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration. Preparing for exams [Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 for everything)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 for everything)[aqa.org.uk/8035](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 for everything)[ for everything](Visit aqa.org.uk/8035 for everything) you need to prepare for our exams, including: • past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports • sample papers and mark schemes for new courses • Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA e

FAQs

What is the purpose of this GCSE Geography (8035) specification?

It sets out the teaching and assessment requirements for GCSE Geography, including subject content, assessment objectives, and administration guidance for the qualification.

Which topics of study does the specification emphasize?

The specification highlights physical and human geography themes and their links, including climate change, poverty and deprivation, global shifts in economic power, and challenges in sustainable resource use.

How are exams assessed and what does SPaG cover?

Assessment objectives and their weightings are defined in the scheme of assessment, and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) requirements are included as part of the overall assessment framework.

Oct 20, 2026

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