Higher History

Young people are naturally curious about the past. We are all here because of what happened in the past. History encourages this curiosity and provides the facts and skills to explore and understand how people in societies and countries lived and changed. 

History is a form of time travel. If you know about the past you can understand societies, you can learn by past deeds, and you can look forward in an informed way. History trains your mind and teaches you how to think and process information, to look beyond the headlines, to ask questions properly and express your own opinions. History improves literacy skills. History gives you skills employers look for.

1. Scottish History: Migration and Empire, 1830-1939 (40 hours)

2. British History: Britain, 1850-1951 (40 hours) with emphasis on political and social change

3. European and World History: Germany 1815-1939 (40 hours)

The external exam is worth 73% of the overall mark and consists of:

• Paper 1: Two essays to be written in 90 minutes, one on Britain and the other on Germany (together worth 44 marks).

• Paper 2: Four questions using historical sources to be answered in 90 minutes on our Scottish unit, Migration and Empire (worth 36 marks).

There is also an Assignment piece of coursework which is researched and sat in exam conditions using a plan of 250 words to help. It is then sent away to be marked by SQA. This is worth 27% of the overall mark.