What is the Advanced Higher Geography project-folio and what are its two parts?
The 100-mark project-folio overview: two independently produced parts, the geographical study (60 marks) and the geographical issue (40 marks), externally marked by SQA.
An overview of the SQA Advanced Higher Geography project-folio: the 100-mark independent coursework made of the geographical study (60 marks, a fieldwork investigation) and the geographical issue (40 marks, a critical evaluation), produced over time and externally marked by SQA.
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What this key area is asking
The project-folio is the larger of the two assessment components, worth 100 marks out of 150. It has two independently produced parts: the geographical study (60 marks), a fieldwork-based investigation, and the geographical issue (40 marks), a critical evaluation of a current complex issue. Both are carried out over time, under some supervision and control, and externally marked by SQA. This page is the overview; the project-folio module takes each part in detail.
The two parts of the folio
The folio is where Advanced Higher Geography differs most from the exam, because it is genuinely independent work produced over time.
- Geographical study (60 marks). An independent investigation. The candidate chooses a topic with enough demand, plans a methodology including sampling and fieldwork techniques, gathers primary and secondary data, then processes, analyses and interprets it.
- Geographical issue (40 marks). A critical evaluation. The candidate chooses a current complex issue, reads widely, summarises a range of viewpoints, critically evaluates them, and reaches reasoned conclusions supported by evidence.
Together they are 100 of the 150 marks, so the year's independent research matters more to the grade than the exam.
How the folio is conducted
Both parts are carried out over a period of time, starting at an appropriate point in the course, and must be produced independently in time for the SQA submission date. Reasonable assistance is allowed (generic advice to a class, clarifying a brief, guiding a candidate to the next stage) but not so much that the work ceases to be the candidate's own. Group work is acceptable during the research phase only and must be acknowledged; the completed folio is individual. Evidence is submitted to SQA, externally marked and quality assured.
A sensible folio timeline
- Choose early. Pick a study topic and an issue with enough demand near the start of the course.
- Plan the study. Decide the location, methodology, sampling and fieldwork techniques before collecting data.
- Gather and record. Collect primary and secondary data systematically, keeping a careful record of sources.
- Process and evaluate. Apply mapping, graphical and statistical techniques to the study; evaluate viewpoints for the issue.
- Write up independently. Produce both parts in your own words to meet the submission date.
Examples in context
Try this
Q1. What are the two parts of the project-folio and their marks? [2 marks]
- Cue. The geographical study (60 marks) and the geographical issue (40 marks).
Q2. Why does the project-folio matter more to the grade than the question paper? [1 mark]
- Cue. It is worth 100 of the 150 marks, two thirds of the assessment.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA AH overview4 marksDescribe the two parts of the Advanced Higher Geography project-folio and the marks attached to each.Show worked answer →
The project-folio is worth 100 marks and has two independently produced parts. The geographical study is worth 60 marks (40% of the course) and is an independent investigation, normally fieldwork-based, in which the candidate gathers and processes primary and secondary data. The geographical issue is worth 40 marks (27%) and is a critical evaluation of a current complex geographical issue using a wide range of sources and viewpoints.
A strong answer gives both marks, states that both parts are carried out over a period of time under some supervision and control, that evidence is submitted to SQA for external marking, and that the work must be the candidate's own. Note that together they form two thirds of the whole assessment, so the folio outweighs the question paper.
SQA AH overview3 marksExplain what 'conducted under some supervision and control' means for the project-folio.Show worked answer →
The folio is independent coursework done over time, partly outside the classroom, so SQA requires the centre to confirm the work is the candidate's own. 'Some supervision and control' means teachers put monitoring processes in place: regular checkpoint or progress meetings, short spot-check interviews, and checklists recording activity and progress.
The best answers note that group work is acceptable during the research phase only and must be acknowledged, that reasonable assistance may be given (generic advice, clarifying a brief) but not so much that the work stops being the candidate's own, and that the completed folio must be independently produced to meet the SQA submission date.
Related dot points
- The shape of Advanced Higher Geography: a skills-based course built on map interpretation, gathering and processing techniques and geographical data handling, assessed by a 50-mark question paper and a 100-mark project-folio.
How SQA Advanced Higher Geography is built and assessed: the three skill areas of map interpretation, gathering and processing techniques and geographical data handling, plus the 50-mark question paper and the 100-mark project-folio (geographical study and geographical issue).
- The geographical study: the 60-mark independent investigation that plans a methodology, gathers primary and secondary data, and processes, analyses and interprets it using mapping, graphical and statistical techniques.
An overview of the SQA Advanced Higher Geography geographical study: the 60-mark independent investigation in which a candidate plans a methodology, gathers primary and secondary data, and processes, analyses and interprets it using mapping, graphical and statistical techniques.
- The geographical issue: the 40-mark critical evaluation of a current complex issue, justifying the choice, summarising and evaluating a wide range of viewpoints, and reaching reasoned conclusions supported by evidence.
An overview of the SQA Advanced Higher Geography geographical issue: the 40-mark critical evaluation in which a candidate justifies the choice of a current complex issue, reads widely, summarises and critically evaluates a range of viewpoints, and reaches reasoned, evidenced conclusions.
- Planning and writing the folio: building a sound methodology and sampling plan, structuring the write-up, referencing sources, and managing the folio independently to meet the SQA submission date.
How to plan and write the SQA Advanced Higher Geography project-folio: building a sound methodology and sampling plan, structuring the geographical study and geographical issue, referencing sources, and managing the work independently to meet the SQA submission date.
- Designing research and fieldwork: setting aims and hypotheses, choosing appropriate primary and secondary techniques, planning a sampling strategy and location, and piloting before collecting data.
How to design a research and fieldwork methodology in SQA Advanced Higher Geography: setting clear aims and hypotheses, selecting appropriate primary and secondary techniques, planning a sampling strategy and a suitable location, and piloting methods before collecting data.
Sources & how we know this
- Advanced Higher Geography Course Specification — SQA (2019)
- Coursework Assessment Task for Advanced Higher Geography — SQA (2023)