OCR A-level Geography
H481
Specification H481. "Paper" and "Mark scheme" open the exam board's official PDF directly — we don't host any files.
OCR A-level Geography (H481)
OCR A-level Geography (H481) has three written papers and a non-exam investigation. Physical systems (01) and Human interactions (02) are each 1 hour 30 minutes, 66 marks and 22% of the A-level. Geographical debates (03), on two of five optional topics, is 2 hours 30 minutes, 108 marks and 36%. Investigative geography (04/05) is an independent investigation written up as a 3,000–4,000 word report, worth 60 marks and 20%, marked by the centre and moderated by OCR. Each written paper comes with a separate resource booklet.
| Paper | What it covers | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H481/01 Physical systems | Section A covers Landscape Systems (one option from coastal, glaciated or dryland landscapes); Section B covers Earth's Life Support Systems (water and carbon cycles). Questions range from short-answer and 6–10 mark medium-length questions to 16-mark extended responses, with geographical skills assessed throughout. | 1h 30m | 66 | 22% |
| H481/02 Human interactions | Section A covers Changing Spaces; Making Places; Section B covers Global Connections, with one global systems option (trade or migration) and one global governance option (human rights or power and borders). Questions range from short-answer and 6–10 mark medium-length questions to 16-mark extended responses. | 1h 30m | 66 | 22% |
| H481/03 Geographical debates | Learners answer on two of five topics: Climate Change, Disease Dilemmas, Exploring Oceans, Future of Food and Hazardous Earth. Section A has 3-mark short-answer and 6-mark medium-length questions, Section B 12-mark synoptic questions, and Section C 33-mark extended responses. | 2h 30m | 108 | 36% |
June 20253 papers
H481/01Paper 1 (Physical systems)
H481/02Paper 2 (Human interactions)
H481/03Paper 3 (Geographical debates)
June 20243 papers
H481/01Paper 1 (Physical systems)
H481/02Paper 2 (Human interactions)
H481/03Paper 3 (Geographical debates)
June 20233 papers
H481/01Paper 1 (Physical systems)
H481/02Paper 2 (Human interactions)
H481/03Paper 3 (Geographical debates)
June 20223 papers
H481/01Paper 1 (Physical systems)
H481/02Paper 2 (Human interactions)
H481/03Paper 3 (Geographical debates)
November 20213 papers
H481/01Paper 1 (Physical systems)
H481/02Paper 2 (Human interactions)
H481/03Paper 3 (Geographical debates)
Every link above points to a PDF published by OCR. The most recent series is usually teacher-only until the board releases it publicly. Broken link? Tell us.
Turn past papers into visible progress
Create a free Wisesprout account, pick your level, board and subject, and every paper on that line appears in your dashboard — mark each one done or flag it for a redo, and watch your coverage grow. Studying with a Wisesprout mentor? They can set papers as homework and follow your progress.