Why study History?

Studying History provides us with an insight into our own lives and of the society and the wider world in which we live. Through an understanding of the concept of continuity, you can better appreciate change and its significance, both in your own times and in the past. It is also intended to enable you to develop skills in explaining historical developments and events, evaluating sources and drawing conclusions.

The skills you learn in History are valuable in a wide range of career sectors, including public administration, business management, law, museum work, teaching and journalism.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

Arts, Social Sciences and Languages

Information, Culture and Heritage

Teaching and Classroom Support

What do I need to get in?

This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:

• Higher History

What will I study?

The course comprises two areas of study.

Historical Study

You will:

• undertake a detailed study of a single historical period
• evaluate a wide range of historical sources, taking into account their provenance, content and historical and historiographical contexts
• engage with the views of a range of historians
• analyse the issues to sustain a coherent line of argument and draw well-reasoned conclusions supported by detailed evidence
• select one Field of Study from a choice of specified fields. 

Researching Historical Issues

You will:

• justifying appropriate research issues; planning a complex programme of research; researching; collating and recording information; explaining approaches to organising; presenting and referencing findings; and using an appropriate referencing convention.

Sources to be studied may be drawn from the following areas:

• Northern Britain: from the Iron Age to 1034
• Scotland: Independence and Kingship, 1249-1334
• Scotland: from the Treaty of Union to the Enlightenment, 1707-1815
• USA: 'A House Divided', 1850-1865
• Japan: the Modernisation of a Nation, 1840-1920
• Germany: from Democracy to Dictatorship, 1918-1939
• South Africa: Race and Power, 1902-1984
• Russia: from Tsarism to Stalinism, 1914-1945
• Spain: the Civil War - Causes, Conflict and Consequences, 1923-1945
• Britain: at War and Peace, 1938-1951.

How will I be assessed?

Course assessment

The course assessment consists of two components totalling 140 marks:

• Component 1 – Question paper (90 marks)
• Component 2 – Project: dissertation (50 marks).

Both the question paper and the assignment are set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.

The course assessment is graded A-D.

Study Materials

SQA Past Papers History Advanced Higher
SQA Specimen History Advanced Higher Question Paper

What can I go on to next?

Further study, training or employment in:

• Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
• History
• Information, Culture and Heritage
• Teaching and Classroom Support

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• History - Related Careers