History GCSE

About the Course

Studying History at GCSE will allow you to develop and widen your understanding and awareness of historical themes and the world around you.  You will come to understand different events and issues through a variety of teaching styles including source work, class discussion, group work and ICT as well as independent learning.  You will be able to develop the skills acquired at lower school which include being able to recognise evidence, decide how to use it and come to conclusions based on what you have found out.

Exam Board

AQA External Examination - 100%

Course Content

GCSE History consists of 4 units split across 2 exam papers.  Paper 1:
  • America 1920 – 1973 : Opportunity and Inequality.  This looks at how life for different people changed in America and includes topics such as the impact of World Wars, gangsters, prohibition, the Great Depression and New Deal and the civil rights movement.
  • Conflict and Tension 1918 – 1939.  This unit looks at the impact of World War One, including the Treaty of Versailles and how Hitler used this, and other issues, to his advantage to start the Second World War so soon after the first.
Paper 2:
  • Britain: Health and the People c1100 to the present day. This topic  involves understanding of how medical advancements have developed throughout time with the development of knowledge and technology. 
  • Elizabethan England 1568 - 1603. This unit looks at the last 35 years of Queen Elizabeth’s rule and examines how she maintained her place on the throne of England. It also includes the specific in-depth study of a site chosen by the examination board.

Beyond the Classroom

GCSE History is an academic study that is very well regarded by universities and employers.  Many students continue to do A level History and some also opt for A level Politics or Law.   History is a well-respected subject at A level and university.  There are many career options for which History is an excellent subject for entry. History also supplies many transferable skills which lend themselves to many different careers not listed above. The careers this subject could lead you to is :
  • Archivist
  • Business Consultant
  • Conservation Officer
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Genealogist
  • Heritage Manager
  • Historian
  • Information Officer
  • Museum Curator
  • Marketing Executive
  • Political Analyst
  • Solicitor

Your Future

From a Student Perspective I enjoy History because I think it is fascinating learning about the past and finding out how things have developed through time.  History lessons have improved my literacy skills, learning new words and how to plan and write well-structured essays.  These skills have helped me develop my learning in other subjects too.   -  Year 11 Student