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:

• The key individuals, societies, developments and issues in the periods studied.
• The links between the events of the past and current events.
• Historical events at different scales.
• The process of change, both long and short term.

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Make connections and comparisons between different aspects of the periods, themes and topics studied.
• Describe, analyse, and evaluate the causes and consequences of historical events and situations.
• Describe, analyse, and evaluate changes and developments in the periods, themes and topics studied.

Core content for Section A - Available modules

• Was the Treaty of Versailles fair?
• To what extent was the League of Nations a success?
• How far was Hitler’s foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939?
• Who was to blame for the Cold War?
• How effectively did the United States contain the spread of Communism?
• How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, from 1948 to1989?

Course content for Section B - Depth Study on Germany

• Weimar Germany, 1919-1933.
• The Rise of the Nazis, 1919-1934.
• Nazi Germany, 1934-1945.

Paper 1 is a written examination. It is 40% of the total IGCSE and is 2 hours long. It involves studying up to 6 key questions from the core content of Section A and a Depth study on Germany.

Paper 2 is a written examination. It is 30% of the total IGCSE and is 1 hour 45 minutes in length. The paper consists of one unit of study and five different types of source based questions. It will be chosen by the exam board from one of the core content key questions in section A.

Component 3 is a coursework examination. It is set and assessed internally by the centre and externally moderated by Cambridge. It is worth 30% of the total IGCSE and is 2,000 words in length based on the depth study. The coursework must be focused on the issue of significance. 

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 W and Mariam EN