Are you in Year 9 and choosing GCSE and IGCSEs? History is one of those subjects which can sometimes be dismissed as an ‘essay-based’ and therefore more challenging subject to study at IGCSE level. Yes, choosing easier subjects can help, but you also need to think about transferrable skills. History provides these in spades. Read on to find out why IGCSE History should be on your list, or, if you are a parent, why you should persuade your child it is a good option.
What is iGCSE History?
GCSE History is great, but we’re focusing on IGCSEs in this series of blogs. So, what is IGCSE History? Put simply, IGCSE History is an internationally recognised qualification. It is offered by two exam boards: Cambridge Assessment International Education and Pearson Edexcel. More than just memorising dates and events, or even just writing lengthy paragraphs of analysis, it is a subject that develops valuable skills and helps you to understand how the world became what it is today.
When we think about History as a school subject we often consider the content, especially things like global events and biographies of leaders and change-makers. A student of IGCSE History will not only explore major global events but will also study in-depth, focusing in during their course on specific countries, such as Germany between the world wars or Russia during the early twentieth century. These case studies are designed to help you analyse how events in the past have shaped our politics and culture today.
Analysis as well as Content
A key feature of the IGCSE History qualification is learning how to analyse historical sources. Students can’t just read the textbook and expect to get a top mark. Instead, they must delve into photographs, letters, speeches, cartoons, and official documents. They must learn to question the reliability of source material such as letters, identify any bias within the text, and compare at least two different perspectives on the same historical event. In today’s world, where misinformation is sometimes incessant, being able to determine the truth is more important than ever.
Transferable Skills
There are also clear transferrable skills from IGCSE History. Students can improve their essay writing (which will pay dividends in English) fine tune their argument construction, and hone their ability to support opinions with evidence. Organising information clearly, evaluating causes and consequences and communicating ideas effectively are three more key skills which IGCSE History will help support. If we look to the future, these abilities are highly respected by both universities and employers because they allow candidates to demonstrate both logical thinking and strong communication.
In conclusion, IGCSE History is a fantastic qualification. It should be on your list of choices because it combines academic skills with real-world relevance and interest. It not only builds essential skills, but also supports future opportunities, and helps students understand how the past has shaped the present. For any student who is curious about the world and wants to develop strong thinking and communication abilities, IGCSE History is an excellent choice.
