The study of history gives our pupils the opportunity to acquire a knowledge and understanding of the human past, locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Northern Ireland syllabus builds upon knowledge, skills, and abilities which the pupils have already acquired in the previous three years of study. The syllabus has been designed to continue the pupils’ knowledge of their own locality as well as view the progress of our world throughout the Twentieth century.

The overall aim of the History GCSE syllabus is to help promote in students understanding of the contemporary world in which they live and to enable them to play a significant role in it.

Description of the Examination
The examination at GCSE will be made up of two papers and one piece of coursework.

Paper 1 Study in Depth (2 hours 50%)

Section A:
Germany c.1919 - c.1939

Section B:
Peace, War and Neutrality: Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland and the Second World War c. 1935 - c. 1949.

Pupils will answer 2 questions from each section in this paper.

Paper 2 An Outline Study (1 1/2 hours 30%)

Superpower Relations 1945 - 1985.
Pupils will answer 3 questions in this paper.

School Designed Coursework (20%)

Pupils will be required to submit one piece of coursework which must include sources and which extend their understanding of the syllabus content.

There are two tiers of entry available giving access to different grades as follows:-
HIGHER TIER Grades A* - D (E)
FOUNDATION TIER Grades C - G

Career Implications/Possibilities for Further and Higher Education
The study of History offers students a wide range of opportunities in further education and employment. The skills which the study of History provide, e.g. are
the presentational skills (competence in writing, oracy and I.T.)
and the ability to work as part of a team and as an individual,
are much sought after by employers.

Students of History are well represented in a variety of professions and careers such as the law, journalism and the media, teaching, social administration, politics and industry.