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’; 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.

Aims and Objectives

The aims of the History course at Standard and Higher Level are to promote:

• The acquisition and understanding of historical knowledge in breadth and in depth and across different cultures.
• A developing appreciation and understanding of History as a discipline, including the ability to balance different interpretations of primary sources, understanding of contrasting historical methods and the skill of arguing a point of view consistently and convincingly.
• International awareness and understanding by promoting empathy with, and understanding of, people living in diverse places at different times.
• A better understanding of the present through interpretation of the past.
• A lasting interest in reading History.

Subject Skills

Students will develop the following skills and be able to:

• Demonstrate historical understanding through the acquisition, selection and effective use of knowledge. 
• Present clear, concise, relevant well sustained arguments.
• Evaluate, interpret and use source material critically as historical evidence.
• Identify and evaluate different approaches to, and interpretations of, historical events and topics.
• Explain the causes and effects of historical continuity and change.

The IB History course

This course follows on logically from the IGCSE studies of 20th Century History. IB students can draw on their IGCSE History as background information, but this is not essential. Standard Level students take Papers 1 and 2 and complete the Internal Assessment. Higher Level students also take Paper 3. An outline of the course follows:

Standard Level (SL)

Higher Level (HL)

Entry requirements

We welcome any student with an interest in the subject and a Grade 5 in IGCSE English, whether they have completed a History IGCSE or not. However, it is advisable for students who have not studied History before to attempt Standard Level only. Students interested in Higher Level should have a minimum of a Grade 6 at IGCSE History.