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Cambridge IGCSE History: Syllabus, Objective & Overview

 

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an English language-based examination developed by the Cambridge Assessment International Education. Typical core subjects for the IGCSE, which follows the Cambridge syllabus, include a first language, a second language Mathematics, and one or more subjects in the Sciences. The examinations are conducted twice a year, June and November with the results declared in August and January respectively. The IGCSE offers around 70 subjects, that include 30 languages and the schools get the privilege to offer them in any combination. The five main subject groups are:

  • Language
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Creative and Vocational

A certificate is awarded to students who successfully completes the assessment requirements with 7 IGCSE subjects – two from group 1, one each from group 2 to 5, and the seventh from any of the groups 2 to 5.

The IGCSE program balances a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and develops the skills the students need for further education and employment.

Cambridge IGCSE History offers the opportunity to study world history from the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first century. The students explore history from a diversity of perspectives, including social, economic, cultural, and political, and are given the opportunity to:

  • Develop an interest in and enthusiasm for learning about and understanding the past
  • Explore historical concepts such as cause and consequence, change and continuity, and similarity and difference
  • Recognize and appreciate historical evidence and how to use it
  • Getter a bigger picture of the international issues
  • Learn how to present clear, logical arguments

 

Content Overview

All students study the core content in either of the two options provided below:

 

Option A

The Nineteenth Century – The development of modern nation-states: 1848 – 1914. The content revolves around these critical topics:

  • Importance of the Revolutions of 1848
  • Unification of Italy
  • Unification of Germany
  • Reasons for the civil war in the United States and its consequences
  • Europe’s expansion of its overseas empires in the nineteenth century
  • Causes of the First World War

 

Option B

The twentieth century – international relations since 1919. Content revolves around these key topics:

  • Fairness of the peace treaties of 1919 – 1923
  • The success of the League Nations
  • Causes of the collapse of International peace by 1939
  • Who was to blame for the Cold War
  • Steps United States took to contain the spread of Communism and their effectiveness
  • USSR’s control over the Eastern Europe, 1948 – c.1989
  • Events in the Gulf. c.1970-2000

In addition to one of the chosen content A or B, the students are required to study one of the following Depth Studies.

  • The First World War, 1914 – 18
  • Germany, 1918 – 45
  • Russia, 1905 – 41
  • The United States, 1919 – 41
  • China, c.1930 – c.1990
  • South Africa, c.1940 – c.1994
  • Israelis and Palestinians since 1945

 

Assessment Overview

All students take three components for the History assessment. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are compulsory. Students have an option between Paper 4 and Component 3

Paper Paper 1 Paper 2 Component 3 Paper 4
Duration 2 hours 1 hour 45 min Coursework 1 hour
Marks allotted 60 40 40 40
Weightage to final score 40% 33% 27% 27%
Question type Structured questions Document questions coursework Alternative to coursework
Details Two questions from core component and one question from Depth studies

Questions are split into three parts a,b,c

One question from the core component

Wide range of source materials are presented

Based on a depth study prescribed in the syllabus or one devised by the center One question on a depth study

Questions are split into two parts a, b

Assessment Externally assessed Externally assessed Internally assessed and externally moderated Externally assessed

 

Assessment Objectives (AO)

The assessment objectives are:

AO1 – Students should be able to recall, select, organize, and apply the knowledge of the syllabus content.

AO2 – Students should be able to construct historical explanations based on

  • Cause and effect, change and continuity, and similarity and difference
  • Motives, emotions, intentions, and beliefs of the people in the past

AO3 – Develop to acknowledge, interpret, and evaluate and use the range of sources as evidence in the historical context.

 

Grading

Grades A* – G is allotted to the students based on their performance after the successful completion of the assessments: A* being the highest and G the lowest.

 

Prescribed Topics for the Syllabus

Changes in the prescribed topics happen in the examination session.

 

For Examination in 2023

Nineteenth-century Core Content (Option A):

  • What caused the First World War? (March examination – India only)
  • Why, and with what effects, did Europeans expand their overseas empires in the nineteenth century? (June examination)
  • What caused the First World War? (November examination)

Twentieth-century Core Content (Option B):

  • Why had international peace collapsed by 1939? (March examination – India only)
  • Why had international peace collapsed by 1939? (June examination)
  • How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, 1948 – c.1989? (November examination)

 

For Examination in 2024

Nineteenth century Core content (Option A):

  • Were the revolutions of 1848 important? (March exam – India only)
  • What caused the First World War? (June exam)
  • Why, and with what effects, did nations gain and expand their overseas empires in the nineteenth century? (November exam)

Twentieth century Core content (Option B):

  • How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, 1948 – c.1989? (March exam – India only)
  • How effectively did the United States contain the spread of communism? (June exam)
  • Who was to blame for the Cold War? (November exam)

 

For Examination in 2025

Nineteenth century Core content (Option A):

  • What caused the American Civil War, and what did it accomplish? (March exam – India only)
  • How was Germany unified? (June exam)
  • What caused the American Civil War, and what did it accomplish? (November exam)

Twentieth century Core content (Option B):

  • To what extent was the League of Nations a success? (March exam – India only)
  • To what extent was the League of Nations a success? (June exam)
  • How much of the 1939 outbreak of war in Europe was attributable to Hitler’s foreign policy? (November exam)

 

For Examination in 2026

Nineteenth century Core content (Option A):

  • Why did countries build and enlarge their empires abroad in the nineteenth century, and what were the results? (March exam – India only)
  • What caused the American Civil War, and what did it accomplish? (June exam)
  • How was Italy unified? (November exam)

Twentieth century Core content (Option B):

  • How effectively did the United States contain the spread of communism? (March exam – India only)
  • Was the Treaty of Versailles fair? (June exam)
  • How effectively did the United States contain the spread of communism? (November exam)

 

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FAQs

How difficult is IGCSE history?

IGCSE History is one of the most difficult courses on our list since its average pass rate, which is about 65%, is lower than one might immediately anticipate for a Humanities course.

What is Cambridge history IGCSE specification?

The history of certain places and events is covered in greater detail in the Cambridge IGCSE History course. Which also examines some of the significant global challenges of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

How long is paper 1 of IGCSE history?

Paper 1 consists of 60 marks, takes two hours to complete and contributes to 40% of your overall history 0470 grade. Two questions from the core material and one question from the deep study must be answered.

Why study IGCSE history?

Students taking the IGCSE in history learn to present questions, acquire and use historical skills, knowledge, and understanding, and offer historical justifications. The social, economic, cultural, and political domains are just a few of the viewpoints that students may use to study history.

How is the Cambridge IGCSE History course assessed?

The course is assessed through external exams, which are held in May/June each year. The exams are marked by examiners appointed by CAIE, and grades are awarded on a scale of A* to G.

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