Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge IGCSE History (0470)

Syllabus overview

Cambridge IGCSE History looks at some of the major international issues of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and covers the history of particular regions and events in more depth.

The syllabus:

enables learners to develop historical knowledge and the skills required for studying historical evidence
gives flexibility for teachers to develop a course that interests and stimulates their learners
provides a sound basis for further study and encourages a lifelong interest in the subject.

Coursework and non-coursework options are available.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

Syllabus support

Support for History (PDF, 2MB)

Syllabus updates

Summary of the changes
- We have updated Cambridge IGCSE History to make sure that the content reflects the interests of our schools. Some content has been amended and introduced to improve the international focus and some content has been removed. The assessment has been refreshed to make it clearer and more accessible for both teachers and learners.
  
  The 2023 syllabus (previously for 2023-2025) is now for examination in 2023 only. The updated syllabus is for examination from March 2024 onwards.
  
  We communicated this to schools in March 2022.
  
  For full details of the changes, please see the 2024-2026 syllabus above.
Teaching and learning resources
- Coming soon
  
  We are developing a comprehensive range of resources to help teachers deliver this updated syllabus.
  
  Visit the School Support Hub from June 2022 onwards for details.

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Important notices

Regulation
- From 2020 examination this syllabus will no longer be regulated by the qualifications and examnations regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Changes to the syllabus and specimen papers reflect the change in regulated status. This syllabus will continue to be available worldwide.
Grading scale
- Please note that if you make an entry for the A*-G grading scale, it is not then possible to switch to the 9-1 grading scale once the entries deadline has passed. If you find that you have accidentally made an entry for the A*-G syllabus, you must withdraw and re-enter before the entries deadline.
Grade descriptions
- For some subjects, the syllabus states that Grade Descriptions will be made available after first assessment in 2020 or 2021.
  
  Publication of grade descriptions for these syllabuses has been delayed. This is to make sure that grade descriptions reflect examination outcomes appropriately and are based on the full range of candidate performance after the 2020 and 2021 series.
Front covers
- From 2020, we have made some changes to the wording and layout of the front covers of our question papers to reflect the new Cambridge International branding and to make instructions clearer for candidates - learn more.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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