Overview

The History GCSE (EDUQAS) specification provides a broad and coherent course of study that ensures the study of; history on three different timescales, history in three different geographical contexts and history across three different eras.

Exam 1 - The Elizabethan Age with Germany in transition

Duration: 2 hours (split into two papers of 1 hour each) % of final grade: 50%

Exam 2 -     The Development of the USA with Changes in Health and Medicine

Duration: 2 hours (split into two papers of 45 minutes for the period study and 1 hour 15 minutes for the Thematic Study) % of final grade: 50%

Topics covered

This is an exciting course that covers a range of topics from modern history.

The Elizabethan Age, 1558-1603 (25% of the qualification)

The study will explore the political, social and religious tensions facing Elizabethan England. It will enable learners to understand how and why different interpretations of Elizabethan England have been constructed. In particular, the ways in which it has been interpreted as a ‘golden age’ and the reasons why this interpretation has been challenged

Germany in Transition, 1919-1939 (25% of the qualification)

This study focuses in depth on themes and issues relating to the history of Germany from 1919-1939. It will enable learners to consider the impact of

the First World War on Germany, the recovery of the Weimar Republic, the factors which led to the rise of the Nazis and the impact of the Nazi regime upon the lives of the German people.

Development of the USA, 1929-2000 (25% of the qualification)

This study focuses on the key trends and turning points that have affected the development of the USA between 1929 and 2000. Students will consider the developments, events and personalities which have shaped the recent history of the USA.

Changes in Health and Medicine, c.500-present (25% of the qualification)

This study focuses thematically on the main trends in the history of health and medicine in Britain from c.500 to the present day. Students will consider the causes, treatment and prevention of illness and disease, advances in medical knowledge, developments in patient care and advances in public health and welfare over time.

Why study History?

History plays a powerful part in your general education.  It provides you with the skills of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and communication which are very much in demand in the workplace and is a highly valued subject on any application form.  There are a very large number of successful people in the worlds of business and public affairs who have studied History well beyond GCSE.  Due to its study of human action History is regarded as of great value in any fields of employment involving contact with real people. History as an academic subject is widely respected by employers and will enable you to study A levels and other further education courses.  It forms part of the Ebacc and is also highly regarded as a facilitating subject for the UK’s top universities.

FAQs

What do we study?

• At GCSE, we study four topics in History. These are:

  • The development of USA 1929-2000

  • Changes in Health and Medicine in Britain c.500 to the present day

  • Germany in Transition 1918-1939

  • The Elizabethan Age 1558-1603

Why pick History?

• History is a subject that helps develop people in well-rounded citizens that can learn and understand where History has been and can lead in the future. It inspires and excites people and enables them to become independent, curious and engaged learners. History gives people a sound knowledge of the past and be able to place events into a wider, more complex, picture by being able to link and articulate key themes, factors and events. History allows you to challenge key ideas and thoughts, re-interpret its past using evidence, and utilise its content and context to ascertain nature, origin and purpose to identify bias in order to make increasingly insightful inferences. History allows you to have an appreciation of the social, cultural, religious and economic ‘angles’ of history as well as political and military and understand how these arguments can be tackled and contested allowing you to construct a logical judgement to communicate about the past. 

Will I have the same history teacher?

• All our History teachers teach GCSE so you may have the same teacher as you do in year 8, but you could also have a new one. You shouldn’t just pick this GCSE because you like/dislike your teacher. 

Is it hard?

• If you enjoy History then you will enjoy learning about the topics that we study. You will have to read and write extended answers and analyse them from different points of view. In history, you also need to make sure you are committed to keeping up to date with your knowledge, using retrieval questions and knowledge organisers as there is a lot of content. 

Do I have to write lots?

• You will write by making notes and completing exam practice throughout your GCSE but there is the opportunity to be creative too. 

How is it assessed?

• You have two GCSE papers, each one consisting of two topic papers. Both are taken in the summer of Year 11 during the GCSE period. The first exam consists of the Elizabethan paper (1 hour, 53 marks) and the Germany paper (1 hour, 53 marks). The second paper consists of the USA paper (45 minutes, 40 marks) and medicine paper (1 hour 15, 64 marks). In all four papers the questions increase in marks awarded and assess both key content knowledge and source skill analysis. 

• Throughout your GCSE you will learn and practice how to do all of the styles of questions leading to your final GCSEs. 

Can I do both history and geography?

• Yes you can, you would just have to pick them from the relevant option blocks. The two humanities subjects complement each other. 

How similar is GCSE to Y8 History?

• In terms of how we teach our lessons, it is as we still have a big question that leads to enquiry based learning. You will, however, be asked to further your knowledge and understanding by developing your thinking through challenging and analysing evidence and thoughts. 

Will my BET assessment result affect whether I can do the subject? 

• No it won't, but it gives you an insight of the type of questions that you could be asked in your GCSE. 

How many exams do we take at the end?

• 2 papers consisting of two topic papers.

What can I do with GCSE History? (in terms of A-levels, careers etc)

• History GCSE is highly regarded and a lot of our students go on to study history further. You can go and study history at A level but it is also the gateway to other A level subjects including Government and Politics, Ancient History, Classical Civilisations as well as many more. History GCSE can also help in future careers such as journalism, teaching, civil service, law and working with archives.

What exam board do we do? 

• Eduqas.

Is History right for me?

• Only you know the answer to that question, but think about the following questions:

  • Do you have a passion for history?

  • Do you have a mind that is curious and wants to be inspired? 

  • Do you want to learn about the past so you can challenge the future?

• If the answer is yes, then History is the choice for you!