GCSE History (WJEC)

GCSE History (WJEC – Wales)

First teaching: September 2026
First qualification awarded: Summer 2028
Exam board: WJEC (made for Wales)

GCSE History encourages students to develop a strong understanding of the past in Welsh, British and global contexts. Learners study important historical events, people and societies while building skills in analysis, evaluation, enquiry and critical thinking.

Course Overview

The GCSE History course is studied over two years and is made up of four units. Assessment includes written examinations and controlled, non‑examination assessments.

Students will study history from three different time periods:

  • Medieval
  • Early modern
  • Modern

Assessment Structure

Unit 1 – Welsh History

  • Assessment: Written examination (1 hour)
  • Weighting: 30%
  • What students study:
    An in‑depth study of Wales at a specific point in history, choosing one topic from:

    • Medieval Wales (e.g. Owain Glyndŵr)
    • Early modern Wales (e.g. the Tudors or the Civil War)
    • Modern Wales (e.g. protest and social change)

Unit 2 – European or World History

  • Assessment: On‑screen non‑examination assessment (3 hours)
  • Weighting: 20%
  • What students study:
    A focused historical enquiry based on sources and interpretations. Possible topics include:

    • The Black Death
    • The Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs
    • Nazi Germany
    • Afghanistan, 1979–2001

Unit 3 – World History Study

  • Assessment: Written examination (1 hour)
  • Weighting: 30%
  • What students study:
    A broad study of a historical period such as:

    • The Vikings
    • The Crusades
    • The Mughal Empire
    • Russia and the Soviet Union
    • Changes in US society

Unit 4 – A Changing Society

  • Assessment: Non‑examination assessment (4 hours 15 minutes)
  • Weighting: 20%
  • What students study:
    A thematic investigation of change over time (75–100 years) in Britain and/or Ireland, exploring themes such as:

    • Equality and inequality
    • Politics and power
    • Culture and society
    • Religion and identity

Skills Students Will Develop

Throughout the course, students will:

  • Build strong historical knowledge and understanding
  • Analyse sources and different historical interpretations
  • Understand cause and consequence, change and continuity
  • Carry out an independent historical enquiry
  • Develop written communication and critical thinking skills

Why Study GCSE History?

GCSE History helps students:

  • Understand the world they live in today
  • Develop well‑valued skills for further education and employment
  • Prepare for A‑level History and other humanities subjects