GCSE History Years 10 & 11

Specification

AQA - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/gcse

What will I study?

The GCSE History content comprises the following elements:

• One period study
• One thematic study
• One wider world depth study
• One British depth study including the historic environment.

Paper 1: Understanding the modern world

Section A: Russia 1894-1945: Tsardom and Communism

Section B: Conflict and Tension in Asia, 1950-1975

Paper 2: Shaping the nation

Section A: Britain: Health and the People: c1000 to present day

Section B: Norman England c1066-c1100

What skills and qualities are required?

• Analytical Skills.
• Communications skills – both verbal and written.  A good command of the English language is particularly important.
• Evaluation skills.
• Organisational skills.
• Initiative.
• Independent learning and research skills.
• Working with others.

How will I learn?

You will learn through reading, writing, discussions, listening, analysing data, developing presentation skills and group work.

Skills you’ll develop through studying History

• Written and oral communication.
• Logical thinking and decision making.
• Analysis.
• Research and deciding between relevant and irrelevant information.
• Understanding how a complex series of events interact.
• Interpretation, distinguishing between cause and consequence, identifying changes.
• Questioning, attention to detail and using evidence.
• Evaluating.
• Balancing strengths and weaknesses and drawing conclusion.

How will I be assessed?

Both Paper One and Paper Two will be assessed by written examination at the end of Year 11.  Both exam papers are 2 hours long and are both worth 84 marks. 

Where could it lead?

Employers and universities really value History as it is viewed as a “rigorous” subject which provides students with a wide range of useful skills.  The strengths of History as a qualification lie in the possibilities and opportunities it opens up. Employees and universities alike will appreciate the variety of transferable skills provided through study of the subject, chiefly the ability to understand and analyse issues and events to a high level.

Additional Requirements/Information

The syllabus aims to build on Key Stage 3 and to lay a foundation for advanced study. A GCSE in either Geography or History is necessary to achieve the English Baccalaureate.