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Global Insight Network

What is better for GCSE geography or history?

Author

Jessica Cortez

Updated on April 15, 2026

With history GCSE, there is A LOT to learn, but if you're interested in it like me, then it's fine. It's easier to learn things when you're interested in them and how it all works. Right, onto Geography. There's also the big 3 sections of human, physical and fieldwork geography.

Also to know is, is geography or history more useful?

These may s Both history, and geography are equally relevant. History teaches you about wise people, their thoughts, their actions that lead to victory or failure, and the development of the human race, its thinking, etc. Geography, on the other hand, can help you know about the earth.

Likewise, why should I take geography for GCSE? Geography helps you to make sense of the world around you. It is hands on, it is relevant and it is fun. Current GCSE courses are a good mix of topics such as urban issues, world development, extreme environments, rivers and hazards – to name but a few.

Also to know is, which is harder history or geography GCSE?

At both GCSE and AS (the first year of A-level) history was judged to be more demanding than geography. The report also found GCSE geography candidates showed less "evidence of attainment" than history candidates.

Can you choose history and geography GCSE?

A humanity subject like History, Geography, or Religious Studies. An arts subject like Music, Drama, Art and Design or Media Studies. A technical subject such as Design and Technology, Food Technology or Computer Science. All students have to do PE in years 10 and 11, but you can also take it as a GCSE option.

Related Question Answers

What is the highest paying geography jobs?

Highest Paying
  • Environmental Planner. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Environmental Management. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Cartography. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Photogrammetry. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Economic Geography. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Land Surveyor. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Geography Teacher. IMAGE SOURCE.
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) IMAGE SOURCE.

What is the easiest GCSE?

Sciences. Science subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics (alongside any Combined versions) are also some of the easiest subjects to pass at GCSE. This is due to the fact that as soon as you know the knowledge, there is very little exam technique that needs to be nailed.

What is the hardest GCSE subject?

So in no particular order, here are the subjects that we believe are the toughest GCSEs to do well in!
  • Music.
  • English Literature.
  • Maths.
  • Sciences.
  • Engineering.
  • Drama.
  • Geography. Similar to History, Geography is largely essay based (although sometimes exam questions may be short answer too).
  • Computing/Computer Science.

Is history or geography harder?

At both GCSE and AS (the first year of A-level) history was judged to be more demanding than geography. The report also found GCSE geography candidates showed less "evidence of attainment" than history candidates.

What is the easiest GCSE subject?

The Easiest GCSE Subjects to Pass
  1. Modern foreign languages. With a pass rate of almost 90%, it's clear that these are amongst the easiest to pass!
  2. Sciences. Science subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics (alongside any Combined versions) are also some of the easiest subjects to pass at GCSE.
  3. English literature.
  4. Music.
  5. Religious studies.

Is geography an easy subject?

No, geography is so simple to study. Geography is much more to study…. More you study more you know, more you relate, more you learn, more you love with geography, & feel more easy to study geography.

Why Geography is the best subject?

Better understanding of the physical world This knowledge will increase your understanding of things like natural disasters, climate, the water cycle, and more. The study of geography developed so as to help humans make better choices, which were influenced by an understanding of the physical world.

Is geography a useless degree?

Yeah a geography degree is useless. Few geography graduates end up finding work that is directly relevant to their degree for a simple reason: too many geography graduates, too few geography-related jobs.

Is GCSE history hard?

Honestly, the hardest part of history is time management, during the exam. Most people probably wouldn't say the course is hard. If you're good at history and you enjoy history take it for GCSE, universities won't really care too much or worry about GCSEs.

What is history GCSE good for?

Studying GCSE History will help you to answer important questions such as: • Why do wars happen? Learning about past events and the people who've influenced history will allow you to understand how the world got to the point it's at now and how it will continue to develop in the future.

Should I take GCSE history?

GCSE History tends to cover the World Wars and other 20th century events, so if your historical interests lie further back in time you may be slightly disappointed by this syllabus. Nevertheless, the skills you'll learn will be invaluable should you wish to take on History in the long-term.

What topics are in history GCSE?

The subject content for GCSE History states that the scope of study should include history:
  • from three eras: Medieval (500–1500) Early Modern (1450–1750) Modern (1700–present day)
  • on three timescales: short (depth study) medium (period study)
  • on three geographical contexts: a locality (the historic environment) British.

What do you learn in history GCSE?

GCSE History Course They will learn how to use a range of source material to comprehend, interpret and cross refer sources. They will also develop skills to explain, analyse and make judgements about historical events and periods. Students will be taught how to apply their understanding to succeed in the examinations.

What are the best options to take for GCSE?

A humanity subject like History, Geography, or Religious Studies. An arts subject like Music, Drama, Art and Design or Media Studies. A technical subject such as Design and Technology, Food Technology or Computer Science. All students have to do PE in years 10 and 11, but you can also take it as a GCSE option.

What topics are in GCSE history?

The GCSE History content comprises the following elements: one period study.

Choose one of the following options:

  • AA America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation.
  • AB Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship.
  • AC Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism.
  • AD America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality.

Why is history so hard?

History is hard to teach, too, not because it is irrelevant but because it hits so close to things young people care and worry deeply about: their ethnic, gender, and national identity, the role of America in the world, inequality and injustice in the past and present, the sources of promise and despair in our society.

What GCSE Psychology like?

Psychology is the science of the mind and behaviour. The Psychology GCSE course prepares students for AQA GCSE Psychology Specification 8182, for exams in May/June 2020 or later years. Assessment is by two written papers (50% each). Exam Paper 1 - Cognition and Behaviour (1 Hour, 45 Minutes) is 50% of the total marks.

What jobs can geography GCSE get you?

Jobs directly related to your degree:
  • Cartographer.
  • Commercial/residential surveyor.
  • Environmental consultant.
  • Geographical information systems officer.
  • Planning and development surveyor.
  • Secondary school teacher.
  • Town planner.

What job can you do with geography?

With further qualifications or training, job roles open to you include the following:
  • cartographer.
  • commercial, residential or rural surveyor.
  • environmental manager.
  • exploration geologist.
  • facilities manager.
  • geographic information systems manager.
  • geomatics/land surveyor.
  • landscape architect.

What are the benefits of studying geography?

Studying geography can provide an individual with a holistic understanding of our planet and its systems. Those who study geography are better prepared to understand topics impacting our planet such as climate change, global warming, desertification, El Nino, water resource issues, among others.

Why is geography so important?

To understand the geography of past times and how geography has played important roles in the evolution of people, their ideas, places and environments. To develop a mental map of your community, province or territory, country and the world so that you can understand the “where” of places and events.

Should I study geography?

Studying geography can provide an individual with a holistic understanding of our planet and its systems. Those who study geography are better prepared to understand topics impacting our planet such as climate change, global warming, desertification, El Nino, water resource issues, among others.

What skills can geography provide you with?

A degree in geography provides students with many transferable skills in demand by employers: communication skills (presentation, writing, debating), teamwork, problem solving and IT skills.

Why geography is important to human?

Why study human geography? Human geography is a wide-ranging discipline that draws together many of the strands important for understanding the world today. It examines human societies and how they develop, their culture, economy and politics, all within the context of their environment.

Is a level Geography hard?

However, geography was less difficult than history at AS and GCSE level. The study of the science of matter ranked as more challenging than biology and physics at GCSE, AS and A-level. The report found the physics practical test at A-level less demanding "than it should be".

How can I use geography in the future?

Geography can help us anticipate the effects of climate change globally, the future of global trade and economics, the spread of deadly diseases, and the shaping and evolution of major landscapes.

Which are the hardest A levels?

The 10 Hardest A-Level Subjects In 2020 (Ranked)
  • A-Level History.
  • A-Level Psychology.
  • A-Level Biology.
  • A-Level English Literature.
  • A-Level Physics.
  • A-Level Chemistry.
  • A-Level Further Maths.
  • Modern Foreign Language A-Levels. At the top of this list, the hardest of them all, are the modern foreign languages A-Levels.

How many GCSEs do you need for Oxford?

Yes, your grades will need to really dazzle. GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our 'guesstimate' is that the average successful applicant has around eight A* GCSEs – or 8/9 grades under the new system – under their belt.

What happens if you fail GCSE?

Most colleges will accept you – no matter what your GCSE grades are. However, the course they offer will have conditions. For example, if you have failed either GCSE Maths or GCSE English Language, the college will most likely make you retake those GCSEs again alongside your actual college course.

What are the most popular GCSE subjects?

10 most popular GCSE subjects 2018
  • English language – 706,255.
  • English literature – 537,990.
  • Religious studies – 260,300.
  • History – 248,925.
  • Geography – 244,925.
  • Art and design subjects – 168,765.
  • Biology – 167,075.
  • Chemistry – 160,110. Similarly, chemistry has seen huge increases of around 28,000 to bring it into the Top 10.

Is PE GCSE hard?

GCSE PE is one of those subjects NOT required at GCSE to take at A level. Whilst there is some Human Biology content, it is not a high level (as opposed to A level PE, where it is pretty tough!)

Do universities prefer Igcse or GCSE?

In short, there is no agreement on whether either qualification will be better for your uni application. Cambridge International Examinations, who developed the IGCSE, say that all UK universities treat the IGCSE as equivalent to the GCSE.

How many GCSEs can you do?

Most people study for at least five GCSEs, but many study for ten or more! Most young people try to study for as many GCSEs as they are able. Crucial: GCSE grades are changing from letter grades A*-G to number grades 9-1.

Can you drop a GCSE in Year 11?

Yes you can drop a GCSE subject it usually takes the agreement of the head of year who ought to know (as much as possible) about anything your son is struggling with.

How many GCSEs is English worth?

The Main 8 GCSE Qualifications English – this pot is worth double points – only if a student takes Language and Literature.