Number of students studying geography GCSE increases for fifth consecutive year, with 15,958 more candidates sitting an exam than in 2015.
The 2016 GCSE results, published today by the Joint Council for Qualifications, show 244,033 students sat a geography GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (228,463 in England). Geography is the eighth most popular subject at GCSE level.
The number of geography A Level candidates has also increased significantly in recent years, with a 16.5% increase between 2011 and 2016.
Commenting on the sustained growth in popularity of geography at GCSE level, the Society’s Director, Dr Rita Gardner CBE, said:
“The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is delighted that geography’s popularity at GCSE continues to increase.
“Geography is currently benefitting from growing recognition from both students and employers of the broad skillset it provides and the subject’s engagement with some the most pressing issues in the world today. However, the hard work of teachers and geography’s position as a facilitating subject have also been crucial to its sustained popularity.”