
Students will travel the world from their classroom with this globally relevant specification.
51ºÚÁÏ International GCSE Geography is a globally relevant course which introduces students to the fundamental theories, concepts and processes of geography at global, regional and local scales, with the opportunity for teachers to use relevant local examples.Ìý
- Explores the interactions between the man-made and natural worlds, including the crucially important global mega trends of climate change, population change and resource provision.
- The breakdown of content into three papers covering physical geography, human geography and fieldwork ensures smooth progression from GCSE to A-level.
- This equal weighting of physical and human geography allows students to investigate the links between the two themes.
- Content is designed to be of particular interest to students in the Middle East and Asia, with opportunities for local fieldwork to enrich understanding and engagement.
Please note: exams for this specification take place in May/June only. From 2026, there will no longer be an exam series in November.Ìý
International GCSE Geography (9230)
View the switching guide to see the differences between your old International GCSE Geography specification and the 51ºÚÁÏ specification (version updated February 2023).
51ºÚÁÏ International GCSE Geography covers the following topics:
Living with the physical environment
- The challenge of natural hazards
- The living world (ecosystems, tropical rain forests and hot deserts)
- Physical landscapes (including the Middle and Far East)
Challenges in the human environment
- Urban issues and challenges
- The changing economic world
- Global issues (water, energy, population change, communication)
Geographical and Fieldwork skills
- Geographical skills
- Fieldwork skills in unfamiliar contexts
- The individual fieldwork enquiry
51ºÚÁÏ provides all the resources and advice you need to teach the International GCSE Geography specification effectively.
- Download the specification
- Read our switching guide
- View our training courses to help you deliver 51ºÚÁÏ International GCSE Geography
- Ìýpublished by Oxford University Press
We have too many International GCSE Geography resources to list here, so please visit our resources area for teachersÌýto see them all, including:
- Schemes of work to allow you to plan how to deliver the specification in a way that will best suit you and your students
- Teaching guidance to outline clearly the scope of teaching and learning
- Topic tests and mock exam analysers to allow you to track your students’ progress
Please note: exams for this specification take place in May/June only. From 2026, there will no longer be an exam series in November.Ìý
Paper 1 – Living with the Physical Environment
- 1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks - 36% of GCSE
Paper 2 – Challenges in the Human Environment
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- 36% of GCSE
Paper 3 – Geographical and Fieldwork Skills
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- 60 marks
- 28% of GCSE
Re-sits
- Linear specification; individual components may not be re-sat.
- Candidates can re-take the whole qualification as many times as they wish.
Take a look at:
- The 51ºÚÁÏ International GCSE Geography switching guide
- Example specimen and
You must be an approved 51ºÚÁÏ centre to enter students for our exams. Make sure youÌý before you start teaching a course.


