IGCSE History

Introduction:

The CIE IGCSE History syllabus takes a fascinating look at some of the most important developments in 20th century History from the 1919 Paris Peace Conference through to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Students will develop skills of analysis and evaluation as they apply these to source material from the time periods studied. Following the IGCSE in History instills students with an appreciation of the past and the causes and consequences of the major developments in recent international history.

Why choose History?

• Students in History will develop their ability to write well-supported arguments, evaluate competing claims and ideas, create and defend sustained judgements, and effectively analyse source materials. These are skills which are beneficial to a wide range of careers in later life (such as research, law, politics, economics). Furthermore, studying History also enriches students use of the English language and their ability to read widely and write convincingly. 

• History gives students a well-rounded view of the world where they are able to draw upon an understanding of the past to better appreciate the developments of the modern world today. It helps to explain ongoing world tensions and enables students draw parallels between events and see similarities and differences across time, place and culture.

Course outline and assessment:

The course is assessed with 3 exam components:

• Paper 1 (worth 60 marks): 2 hours. Students answer three structured questions, two on 20th Century History and one on Germany, 1918- 1945.

• Paper 2 (worth 50 marks): 2 hours. Students answer six questions relating to a variety of sources from a prescribed topic (taken from the 20th Century History unit) that they prepare for. The questions are skills based and focus on inference, purpose and reliability.

• Paper 4 (worth 40 marks): 1 hour. Students answer one question from the chosen depth study (Germany 1918-45) and write an extended answer on it.