Comparative Guide: IGCSE & O Level History in Bangladesh
For schools and teachers in Bangladesh, choosing the right History syllabus shapes not only what periods of history students encounter, but also the analytical and essay-writing skills they develop. Different exam boards emphasise different periods, skills, and ways of assessing knowledge. This guide compares Cambridge O Level History (2147), Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (4HI1 & 4XHI1), and OxfordAQA International GCSE History (9270).
Cambridge O Level History (2147)
Content & Structure
- Papers: Paper 1 (Written, Core Content + Depth Study, 2h), Paper 2 (Source Paper, 2h). Equal weighting.
- Assessment: Combination of essay-based and source-based questions.
Historical Periods & Teacher Choices
- Core Content: International Relations since 1919 (Peace Treaties, League of Nations, World War II, Cold War up to c.2000).
- Depth Studies (choose one):
- Germany, 1918–45
- Russia, 1905–41
- USA, 1919–41
- China, 1930–c.1990
Implications for Teaching
- Requires balancing world survey content with chosen depth study.
- Strong emphasis on essay planning and comparative analysis.
- Source paper demands explicit training in reliability, usefulness, and provenance.
Implications for Students
- Exposure to 20th-century international and national history.
- Develops analytical and argumentative essay skills.
- Rewards critical engagement with documents and sources.
Opportunities
- Well-established O Level recognition across South Asia.
- Strong preparation for A Level History.
Cambridge O Level History (2147)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (4HI1 — Linear)
Content & Structure
- Papers: Paper 1 (Depth Studies, 2h15, 50%); Paper 2 (Investigation + Breadth Study, 1h30, 50%).
- Assessment: Combination of structured questions, essays, and source responses.
Historical Periods & Teacher Choices
- Depth Studies (choose 2):
- Germany: Development of Dictatorship, 1918–45
- Russia and the Soviet Union, 1905–24
- The USA, 1918–41
- China, 1900–76
- South Africa, 1948–94
- Historical Investigations (choose 1):
- The Origins and Course of the First World War, 1905–18
- The Origins and Course of the Second World War, 1919–45
- The Cold War, 1945–62
- Breadth Studies (choose 1):
- Changes in Medicine, c.1848–c.1948
- Development of Dictatorship: Italy, 1918–43
- The Changing Role of International Organisations: the League and the UN, 1919–c.2011
- The Middle East: Conflict, Crisis and Change, 1917–2012
Implications for Teaching
- Significant planning needed to cover 2 Depth Studies plus Investigation and Breadth Study.
- Source analysis embedded in every option, not a separate paper.
Implications for Students
- Requires broad knowledge across modern world history.
- Students practice structured, thematic essay writing.
Opportunities
- Extensive choice of topics allows tailoring to teacher expertise and student interests.
- Globally recognised; prepares for A Level and IB pathways.
Edexcel IGCSE History (Linear)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (4XHI1 — Modular)
Content & Structure
- Introduced 2023; first exams June 2025.
- Two Units: Unit 1 (Depth + Investigation), Unit 2 (Breadth). Each 50%.
- Same content options as Linear, but split for modular entry and resits.
Implications for Teaching
- Allows staged teaching and assessment.
- Flexibility to resit one unit if needed.
Edexcel IGCSE History (Modular)
OxfordAQA International GCSE History (9270)
Content & Structure
- Papers: Paper 1 (International Relations, 1h30), Paper 2 (Depth Studies, 1h30). Equal weighting.
- Assessment: Mixture of essay and source questions.
Historical Periods & Teacher Choices
- Core: International Relations, 1919–2011 (Peace Treaties, League of Nations, WWII, Cold War, Middle East).
- Depth Studies (choose 2):
- America: A Nation of Contrasts, 1910–29
- Conflict and Tension, 1918–39
- Germany, 1890–1945
- Russia, 1894–1945
- Britain: Migration, Empires and the People
Implications for Teaching
- Requires integration of international relations core with chosen national depth studies.
- Source evaluation skills assessed across both papers.
Opportunities
- Validated to UK GCSE standards.
- Choice of studies allows both modern world and social history themes.
Key Comparisons at a Glance
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| Exam Board | Papers & Duration | Assessment Model | Core Content | Optional Depth / Period Studies | Source Work | Notes for Curriculum Design | Official Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge O Level (2147) | Paper 1: 2h; Paper 2: 2h | Core + 1 Depth Study + Source Paper | International Relations 1919–2000 | Germany 1918–45; Russia 1905–41; USA 1919–41; China 1930–c.1990 | Separate Source Paper (Paper 2) | Balance broad survey with focused depth; strong essay & source skills needed. | Cambridge |
| Edexcel IGCSE (4HI1 — Linear) | Paper 1: 2h15; Paper 2: 1h30 | 2 Depth + 1 Investigation + 1 Breadth | Modern World Core via chosen topics | Depth: Germany, Russia, USA, China, South Africa Investigation: WWI, WWII, Cold War Breadth: Medicine, Italy, League/UN, Middle East |
Embedded in all papers | Heavy content load; flexibility to match teacher expertise & student interests. | Edexcel Linear |
| Edexcel IGCSE (4XHI1 — Modular) | Unit 1: 2h; Unit 2: 2h | Same as Linear, split across 2 units | Modern World Core | Same options as Linear | Embedded in both units | Staged entry and resit flexibility. | Edexcel Modular |
| OxfordAQA IGCSE (9270) | Paper 1: 1h30; Paper 2: 1h30 | International Relations Core + 2 Depth Studies | International Relations 1919–2011 | America 1910–29; Conflict 1918–39; Germany 1890–1945; Russia 1894–1945; Britain & Empire | Integrated into both papers | Mix of world survey and national depth; accessible source-based assessment. | OxfordAQA |
Conclusion
History syllabuses differ not just in structure but also in the historical periods offered and the balance between breadth, depth and source evaluation. Cambridge provides a traditional O Level model with compulsory international relations and one depth study. Edexcel offers wide choice across Depth, Investigation and Breadth studies, while its modular route allows staged assessment. OxfordAQA balances a 20th-century world survey with two depth studies. The right choice will depend on your school’s teacher expertise, resources, and the historical themes you believe will engage your students most.
