Why study History?

“How do you know who you are unless you know where you’ve come from? How can you tell what’s going to happen, unless you know what’s happened before? History isn’t just about the past. It’s about why we are who we are –  and about what’s next.” Tony Robinson, Actor and Television Presenter.

History is the study of real people living real lives and experiencing real situations. It helps us to understand the world today, people around us and also those from different backgrounds and cultures.

History challenges us to form solidly based arguments and to share our opinions with confidence, all crucial skills in the modern world and workplace.

History has consistently remained a relevant and well respected subject that is recognised by leading universities and employers throughout the world. The Russell Group, which represents the 24 leading UK universities, classifies History as a ‘facilitating subject’. These are the academic subjects most commonly required or preferred by universities to access a range of degree courses.

The knowledge, analytical and evaluative skills developed in History are applicable in a vast range of jobs and History graduates have entered into all kinds of careers. History is a subject that can be used for entry into the fields of law, civil service, politics, diplomacy, journalism, teaching, computer science and management of all descriptions.

Subject Content

Through the study of this course, students will develop knowledge and understanding of:

• key features and characteristics of historical periods

• historical interpretations in the context of historical events studied 

• historical events and periods studied, using second-order historical concepts.

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain, analyse and make judgements about historical events and periods studied using second order historical concepts.
• Use a range of source material to comprehend, interpret and cross-refer sources.
• Analyse and evaluate historical interpretations in the context of historical events studied.

Unit One: Depth Studies - Available modules

• Unit 3 - Germany: development of dictatorship, 1918–45
• Unit 7 - A divided union: Civil rights in the USA, 1945–74

Unit Two: Investigation and Breadth Studies

• A2 - Russia and the Soviet Union, 1905–24 
• B2 - Changes in medicine, c1848–c1948

Paper 1 is a written examination. It is 50% of the total IGCSE and is 1 hour 30 minutes long. It involves studying two depth studies: Germany: Development of a dictatorship, 1918 - 1945 and Dictatorship and conflict in the USSR, 1924–53.

Paper 2 is a written examination. It is 50% of the total IGCSE and is 1 hour 30 minutes in length. It involves studying two breadth studies: Russia and the Soviet Union, 1905–24 and Changes in medicine, c1848–c1948.

The Student Perspective

"History GCSE was an opportunity to develop and dive into the past; learn more about the history that led us to this moment in time and the many mistakes that we learn from to develop a better future. The Cambridge IGCSE History syllabus looks at some of the major international issues of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as well as covering the history of particular regions in more depth. The emphasis is on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research. The learners develop an understanding of the nature of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference and find out how to use and understand historical evidence as part of their studies. Cambridge IGCSE History will stimulate any learner already interested in the past, providing a basis for further study, and also encouraging a lifelong interest in the subject. 

It was honestly a course which needed work, with all the essays, memorising and understanding of the topics, but it was all worth it in the end as we all came out with knowledge that would benefit us. After all, those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. So if you believe you are up for the challenge, I would encourage you to take up this subject as it will not only teach you about the past but also allow you to gain skills and knowledge that will benefit you for many years to come."

Youssef Waisse and Mariam El Naggar