IGCSE History
Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £345
Start your journey towards a career in heritage, culture or education. Gain a solid understanding in key events and societies along with developing research and analytical skills. The course will help you progress to further education, an apprenticeship or seek employment inside or outside of the UK.
- Awarding Bodies: Cambridge & Edexcel Examination Boards
- Learning Hours: 130 Recommended Study Hours
- Flexible Fast Track Available
- Full IGCSE Qualification
Overview
Would you like to progress your education through distance learning? An online International GCSE History course can open doors to a rewarding career in multiple industries. The programme with Learn Now provides the same fully recognised qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college but giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
If you are an adult learner, a student resitting exams, or someone juggling studies with work and family, this could work perfectly. The course is designed to suit many lifestyles and provides at least two exam series per year.
Choose Your Specification
Whether you are based inside or outside the UK, we can offer a variety of internationally recognised examination boards to suit your specific needs:
- Cambridge International CIE 0470 (A*-G) or 0977 (9-1)
- Pearson Edexcel 4HI1 (9-1)
Get 10% discount when ordering multiple IGCSE courses. Use the coupon code: IGCSE10 at checkout
Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £345
Select your course awarding body from the dropdown below.
Cambridge IGCSE History
Specification Code: 0470 (A*-G)or 0977 (9-1)
The Cambridge Specification is more than just a list of dates and names; it’s an exciting journey through the major international issues that have shaped our modern world, encouraging a lifelong interest in the subject.
The course invites you to become a detective of the past, uncovering the forces that have defined the last century. You’ll dive into a broad core content topic, such as The Twentieth Century: International Relations since 1919, to understand how the world moved from devastating world wars to a global ideological struggle.
You will then choose a more focused depth study which covers the history of a single nation in greater detail, offering a flexible option of either Germany or the United States of America.
The History CIE course is your opportunity to refine your skills in critical thinking, source analysis, and persuasive writing – all skills that are imperative as you move on to A Level studies, while exploring the fascinating and often surprising events that have shaped the world we live in today.
Core Content
The Twentieth Century: International Relations Since 1919 module for IGCSE History is all about the dramatic events that shaped our modern world. It’s not just about dates and names; it’s about understanding the big picture—the rivalries, the fragile peace treaties, and the monumental conflicts that defined an era.
The Aftermath of World War I
It all starts with the end of the ‘war to end all wars’.
Put on your detective hat to investigate whether
- The Treaty of Versailles was a fair peace settlement or a recipe for disaster.
- Was it a harsh punishment that pushed Germany to the brink, or was it a justified response?
- Learn about the ambitious but flawed League of Nations, created to prevent another global conflict.
The Road to World War II
This part of the module is like a suspenseful movie.
- Trace the terrifying rise of dictators like Adolf Hitler and analyse his aggressive foreign policy.
- Examine the policy of appeasement and debate its effectiveness.
- Was British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain a hero trying to avoid war or a naïve leader who made things worse?
- Explore other crucial events, such as the Nazi-Soviet Pact, that sealed the fate of Europe and led directly to the outbreak of the Second World War.
The Cold War: A World Divided
After World War II, the world wasn’t a peaceful place for long. Instead, a new kind of conflict emerged: the Cold War.
- Study the ideological clash between the capitalist USA and the communist USSR. This wasn’t a hot war with battles and bombs but a tense, global standoff.
- Learn about the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban Missile Crisis (the closest the world ever came to nuclear war), and the devastating conflicts in Korea and Vietnam—all part of the USA’s mission to contain the spread of communism.
The Fall of the Soviet Empire
Finally, you’ll witness the slow but sure unravelling of the Soviet Union’s control over Eastern Europe.
- Study how movements like Solidarity in Poland challenged Soviet power from within.
- This section culminates in the dramatic collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989—a symbolic end to the Cold War and a moment that changed the world forever.
This module is your ticket to understanding how we got from the shaky peace of 1919 to the modern world we live in today. It’s a journey through the triumphs and tragedies that shaped the international landscape for decades to come.
Depth Studies
Prepare to time-travel to two of the most turbulent and fascinating periods in modern history! The Depth Studies for CIE History IGCSE are not just about memorising facts; they’re about diving deep into a specific time and place to understand how societies were transformed forever.
The United States, 1919–41: The American Dream and Its Dark Side
This module tells the dramatic story of America between the world wars. You’ll witness a nation on a roller coaster of change, from the dazzling “Roaring Twenties” to the devastating Great Depression.
The Roaring Twenties: Explore the jazz age, the birth of a consumer society fueled by new technologies like the radio and the automobile, and the changing roles of women. You’ll also confront the darker side of this era, including widespread intolerance—the revival of the Ku Klux Klan, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the controversial experiment of Prohibition that gave rise to organised crime and gangsters like Al Capone.
The Great Depression and the New Deal: The party came to a crashing halt in 1929 with the Wall Street Crash. You’ll analyse the causes and consequences of this economic catastrophe that plunged millions into poverty. The second half of this study focuses on the heroic figure of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his radical New Deal. Was his massive government intervention a success that saved America from ruin, or was it a flawed program that failed to solve the fundamental problems of the Depression?
Germany, 1918–45: The Rise and Fall of a Dictatorship
This is one of the most powerful and chilling stories in modern history. You’ll follow Germany’s journey from a fragile democracy to a brutal totalitarian state.
The Fragile Weimar Republic: Begin by exploring Germany after its humiliating defeat in World War I. You’ll learn about the creation of the Weimar Republic, a democratic government that was immediately crippled by the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles and political violence. Was this republic doomed from the start? You’ll also study the “Golden Age” of the 1920s, a brief period of cultural and economic recovery before the storm.
The Nazi Takeover: This section is a gripping account of how the Nazi Party, a fringe political group, gained power. You’ll investigate Hitler’s rise to power and the key events—like the Great Depression and the Reichstag Fire—that he exploited. You’ll also see how Hitler ruthlessly eliminated his opposition and created a one-party state by 1934.
Life in Nazi Germany: Finally, you’ll uncover the chilling reality of life under Nazi rule. You’ll study the methods of control and terror used by the Nazis, including propaganda, the SS, and the Gestapo. You’ll also learn about the persecution of minorities and the devastating impact of Nazi policies on ordinary Germans. This is a crucial and sobering look at the true nature of a totalitarian regime.
Course Content
The Twentieth Century: International Relations Since 1919
- 1 Was the Treaty of Versailles fair?
- 2 To what extent was the Leaque of Nations a success?
- 3 How far was Hitler’s foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939?
- 4 Who was to blame for the Cold War?
- 5 How effectively did the United States contain the spread of communism?
- 6 How secure was the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe, 1948-c.1989?
Depth Study: You will study at least one of the following
- The United States, 1919–41
- Germany, 1918–45
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at a CIE approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
IGCSE Exams
There are three exams for the full qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:Paper 1 – 2 hour
Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 min
Paper 4 – 1 hour
Course Outcome
On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded the following qualification:
International GCSE History with CIE
Click here for more information on CIE and to be taken to their official website
Edexcel IGCSE History
Specification Code: 4HI1
Edexcel includes the study of significant events, societies and people from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries around the world so students are able to see how the past has influenced the present. Students learn about various topics such as wars, revolutions and social changes and gain useful information about cultural, political and economic developments in different regions.
The course aims to build factual knowledge, but also key historical skills such as analysis, evaluation and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to interpret historical sources, consider different perspectives and construct well-supported answers. Edexcel thus prepares students for further academic study and provides them with the abilities and knowledge necessary for informed citizenship and lifelong learning.
The course has four modules you will need to cover.
Course Content
Germany: Development of Dictatorship, 1918–45
- The establishment of the Weimar Republic and its early problems
- The recovery of Germany, 1924–29
- The rise of Hitler and the Nazis to January 1933
- Nazi Germany 1933–39
- Germany and the occupied territories during the Second World War
A Divided Union: Civil Rights in the USA, 1945-74
- The Red Scare and McCarthyism
- Civil rights in the 1950s
- The impact of civil rights protests, 1960–74
- Other protest movements: students, women, anti–Vietnam
- Nixon and Watergate
The Origins and Cause of the First World War, 1905-18
- The alliance system and international rivalry, 1905–14
- The growth of tension in Europe, 1905–14
- The Schlieffen Plan and deadlock on the Western Front
- The war at sea and Gallipoli
- The defeat of Germany
China: Conflict, Crisis and Change, 1900–89
- The fall of the Qing, Warlordism and chaos, 1900–34
- The triumph of Mao and the CCP, 1934–49
- Change under Mao, 1949–63
- The Cultural Revolution and its impact, 1965–76
- China, 1976–89
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an Edexcel approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
IGCSE Exams
There are two exams for the full qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:Paper 1 – 1 hour 30 min
Paper 2 – 1 hour 30 min Course Outcome
On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded the following qualification:
International GCSE History with Edexcel
Click here for more information about Pearson Edexcel and to be taken to their official website
Enrolment Fees
Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course. This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.
Our enrolment fee includes:
- All study materials covering the full specification.
- Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
- Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
- Assignment marking and feedback
- Marked and graded practise examination papers
- Fast Track available if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.
The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior and this will be paid directly to the exam centre.
Request More Information about IGCSE History
FAQs
Will I find this course hard?
The course can seem challenging when learners are asked to analyse sources and write evaluative essays under exam conditions. Skills taught through the course will include critical thinking, source analysis and the ability to construct well-supported arguements.
If you enjoy learning about the past and debating different viewpoints, you will learn to understand the reasons behind events rather than simply memorising dates and names. This along with our help will mean you can succeed in the subject.
Will I need to buy any books?
You will not be required to purchase any books with this course. We automatically include logins to our online e-Library, which provides access to the following premium eBooks depending on your selected course specification:
Edexcel international GCSE (9-1) history.: Germany 1918-45 student book – Taylor, Kirsty
Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Student Book – Ben Walsh,Benjamin Harrison
Don’t see the specific book you are looking for? Ask us, and we will let you know if we have it!
Which subjects should I study alongside this course?
English Language – This subject will help with reading comprehension, essay writing and analysis. If you are able to write structured essays, this will help when answering history questions under exam conditions.
English Literature – Studying Literature, you will need to be able to analyse characters and themes. This strengthens the analytical skills required to evaluate historical sources.
Where can the subject take me?
The course will open doors to a variety of subjects. You may want to progress onto A Levels in subjects such as History, Politics or Literature.
After A Levels, degree options include History, Law, Politics, International Relations, Archaeology or Journalism.
If you don’t want to progress onto A Levels, you might want to consider a level 3 apprenticeship which would allow you to earn whilst you learn. It would be worth looking for vacancies within the heritage sector.
Overall the subject will develop valuable skills in critical thinking, research, source analysis and communication.
Can I study this course from outside the UK?
Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge (CIE) qualifications can be taken inside and outside the UK. Content within the specification is adapted for international learners and the qualification is comparable to UK GCSE standards.
How long does the course take?
You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete the course much sooner if you need to. Exams for this subject fall in May/June or October/Novembereach year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for. We have more information on exam timetables here.
How does this course compare to a college GCSE?
The International GCSE is taken worldwide rather than just the UK. It is equivalent to a GCSE but is often 100% exam based. See our article IGCSE vs GCSEfor more information.
What can I do with IGCSE History
The qualification can assist you in developing skills such as critical thinking, research and analytical writing. The subject provides a sound basis for future academic work in history and other disciplines such as politics, law and international relations.
It opens your mind to the important events in the world, to different cultures, and to what has shaped societies over time and can be useful in careers such as teaching, journalism, public service or business. It also forms a natural progression onto the A Level in History.