Global Perspectives & Research 9239

Choose your paper route

• AS Level onlyComponent 1 / Paper 1 + Component 2 + Component 3

  Take all three AS components in the same exam series. AS grades are a–e.

• Staged A LevelYear 1: AS components 1–3; Year 2: Component 4 Cambridge Research Report

  Carry-forward rules and time limits apply; confirm the entry option with the exams officer.

• Full A Level in one seriesComponents 1–4

  The A Level route includes all four components. A Level grades are A*–E.

The syllabus is skills-based. Select at least three relevant global topics with the teacher, then use evidence to analyse issues; no prior factual knowledge of the Paper 1 issue is assessed.

Practice the papers

• Written Exam · 1 hour 30 minutes · 45 marks · 36% AS / 18% A LevelComponent 1 / Paper 1 · 8 lessons
  Use the Critical Path to move from an issue to a judgementSeparate claims, reasons, conclusions and assumptionsEvaluate source provenance, method and evidenceCompare global perspectives with context and careSynthesize competing evidence into a reasoned judgementRead source-based structured questions carefullyEvaluate evidence in a source-based responseCompare arguments and perspectives in the written exam

  Externally set and marked. In 2026–2028 it is called Component 1; from 2029 the same written assessment is titled Paper 1. The three compulsory questions use two supplied sources: Q1 is 5 marks, Q2 is 15 and Q3 is 25. No prior factual knowledge of the issue is assessed. StudyForA exercises are original practice, not Cambridge questions or an official mark scheme; a full timed paper and specialist mark-scheme calibration remain outstanding.

• Essay · 40 marks · 32% AS / 16% A Level · 1750–2000 wordsComponent 2 · 2 lessons
  Choose a global issue and formulate an effective essay questionBuild a referenced essay from contrasting perspectives

  Candidates choose a studied global issue, devise one question, research globally contrasting perspectives and write an externally marked essay. The title, citations and references are excluded from the word count; work beyond 2000 words is not marked. Candidate authorship and centre submission rules apply.

• Team Project · 40 marks · 32% AS / 16% A LevelComponent 3 · 3 lessons
  Plan a team project around a local problem with global relevancePresent your own research and proposed solutionReflect on collaboration and your own learning

  Teams of 2–5 identify a local problem with global relevance. Each candidate submits an individual presentation (30 marks; maximum 10 minutes; live recording or recorded voiceover) and a reflective paper (10 marks; maximum 800 words). Externally marked. StudyForA cannot observe the team, authenticate candidate work or award marks.

• Cambridge Research Report · 85 marks · 50% A Level · report up to 5000 words + separate research logComponent 4 · 3 lessons
  Develop a feasible question for the Cambridge Research ReportManage research methods, sources and a reflective logWrite a clear, referenced research report for a non-specialist

  Externally marked: report 75 marks and research log 10 marks. Candidates develop one question and complete independent research. The research proposal form is reviewed internally by the teacher and is not externally marked. The report must be written for a non-specialist audience; StudyForA cannot authenticate, supervise or grade it.