GCSE Geography
Geography asks learners to interpret GIS data, find and judge secondary data, process and present data in graphs and maps, reference their sources, research an issue independently, and submit both NEA units digitally. The spec does not force software use, but spreadsheets and GIS make this work far easier and 40% of the grade is NEA. The biggest thing KS3 should build is confident handling of real data sets in Excel, from collection form to graph to written conclusion.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of digital work
- High
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Our Physical and Human World: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%
- Unit 2: Developing Fieldwork Skills: Non-examination assessment 7 hours (not including the fieldwork), 25%, set and marked by WJEC
- Unit 3: Our Dynamic and Diverse World: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%
- Unit 4: Sustainable Solutions: Non-examination assessment 6 hours (3 hours research, 3 hours tasks), 15%, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
Skills that use Storing and sharing
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Producing and submitting NEA work digitally
Both NEA units must be submitted digitally, either completed on a computer or handwritten and scanned. Learners need to organise, save and hand in files reliably, including scanned sketches and maps.
DCF: Storing and sharing, Creating digital content
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils save a geography project in a named OneDrive folder and hand it in through a Teams assignment.
- Year 8
- Pupils scan a hand-drawn annotated sketch map with a phone or iPad scanning app and insert it into a Word report as a clear, cropped image.
- Year 9
- Pupils write up a fieldwork enquiry in Word under a heading for each enquiry stage, use version history to recover an earlier draft, and submit it as a PDF.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Section 3.2, Unit 2 overview, page 37; Unit 4 overview, page 38
“Assessments must be submitted digitally (they may be handwritten and scanned, or completed digitally).”
Progression step 3
I can manage files and folders locally or online, e.g. move files to a folder.
I can upload files from a local drive to online storage.
Progression step 4
I can use appropriate advanced file management techniques, e.g. version history, restore previous version, tagging, compression.
I can explore and develop a range of formal text document structures for different audiences and purposes.
Progression step 5
I can make informed choices about file types and understand compatibility issues, e.g. the difficulties of editing PDFs, differences between sound files.
I can use a variety of software, tools and techniques to create a professional, individual or collaborative project outcome incorporating a range of multimedia components.
Good to know
- Typing is optional for both NEA units: work may be "handwritten and scanned, or completed digitally" (Section 3.2, pages 37 and 38).
- Unit 1 and Unit 3 are each a "Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes" (Summary of assessment, page 5), so GIS and graph skills are tested on paper, for example from "a screen shot from a GIS" (Appendix B, page 46).
- Using digital technology "through accessing satellite images and digital maps" is a learning experience that "will not be directly assessed" (page 35).
- Unit 4 research is limited to "a maximum of two sides of A4 notes to be used during the assessment" (page 37), and learners "should not have access to the Resource Pack until the start of the assessment" (page 37).
- The online fieldwork statement is a centre task, not a learner skill: it is "submitted online, signed by the Head of Centre" (page 37).
Links with other qualifications
Data processing and graph work overlaps with Mathematics and Numeracy, and source evaluation and referencing overlap with History.
Source: WJEC GCSE Geography specification, Teaching from 2025, For award from 2027, Version 6, September 2026.