Switching to AQA from Eduqas
To save you time and help you compare our GCSE History with the WJEC Eduqas specification, we’ve created some comparison tables.
These tables highlight the content and requirements side by side, so you can make the right choice for your students.
Mandated similarities
There are certain content requirements set by the Department for Education (DfE) in its document, History GCSE subject content, that must be common across specifications from all boards. The DfE guidance requires students to study, as a minimum:
- two depth studies, each covering a substantial and short time span: one must be a British depth study from the medieval (500–1500), early modern (1450–1700) or modern (1750–present) eras o the other must be a European or wider-world depth study from an era different to the British depth study.
- A period study of at least 50 years from any of the eras.
- The historic environment through the study of a particular site in its historical context.
- A thematic study involving the study of people, events and developments drawn from all three eras defined above.
The DfE requires that British history must form at least 40% of the assessed content.
Assessment comparison
Paper 1
AQA History Understanding the Modern World | Eduqas Component 1 Studies in Depth |
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Written exam paper | Written exam |
2 hours | 2 hours |
84 marks (including four marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar) | 106 (including six marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar) |
50% of GCSE | 50% of the GCSE |
Further details
AQA History Understanding the Modern World | Eduqas Component 1 Studies in Depth |
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Section A Period Study: - 40 marks
- Students answer six questions.
- The first three questions test interpretations (AO4).
- The fourth question tests their knowledge and understanding (AO1). It will ask students to describe two issues.
- The fifth question will ask students to test AO1 with AO2 (explanation and analysis of historical events and periods using second-order concepts) and will focus on change.
- The final question will also target AO1 and AO2 and will an essay requiring a judgement.
| Part 1 British Study in Depth - 53 marks (including three marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar)
- Students answer 5 questions.
- The first question will target source analysis (AO3). Students will be asked select information from two sources.
- The second question will target AO3 and AO1 (knowledge and understanding).
- The third question will target AO1 and AO2 (explanation and analysis of historical events and periods using second-order concepts). It will ask students to explain significance of a given issue.
- The fourth question will target AO1 and AO2 and ask students to explain connections between identified features.
- The final question will be an essay question that will ask students to evaluate how far they agree with a given interpretation (AO4) using their knowledge and understanding (AO1) and the interpretation.
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Section B Wider World Depth Study: - The section is worth 44 marks (including four marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar).
- Students answer four questions.
- The first question will ask sources to analyse a source (AO3).
- The second question will ask students to evaluate the usefulness of two sources for a given issue (AO3).
- The third question will test AO1 and AO2 and ask students to write a structure account.
- The final question will also test AO1 and AO2. It will be an essay requiring a judgement.
| Part 2 Non-British Studies in depth - The part is worth 53 marks (including three marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar).
- Students answer 5 questions.
- The first question will target AO3 (sources) and AO1 (knowledge and understanding).
- The second question will ask students to evaluate the purpose of a given source. It will target AO3 (sources) and AO1 (knowledge and understanding).
- The third question will ask students to evaluate two interpretations (AO4) using the interpretation and their own knowledge and understanding (AO1).
- The fourth question will ask students to evaluate the usefulness of two sources. It will target AO3 (sources) and AO1 (knowledge and understanding).
- The final question will be an essay question that will ask students to evaluate how far they agree with a given interpretation (AO4) using their knowledge and understanding (AO1) and the interpretation.
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Paper 2
AQA History Shaping the Nation | Eduqas Component 2 Studies in Breadth |
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Written exam | Written exam |
2 hours | 2 hours |
84 marks (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar) | 104 (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar) |
50% of the GCSE | 50% of the GCSE |
Further details
AQA History Shaping the Nation | Eduqas Component 2 Studies in Breadth |
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Section A Thematic Study - This section is worth 44 marks (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar).
- Students answer four questions.
- The first question tests sources (AO3). It will ask the students to evaluate the usefulness of one source.
- The second question will target AO1 (knowledge and understanding) and AO2 (explanation of second order concepts). It will ask students to explain the significance of a key event, person/group or development at the time and importance over time.
- The third question will also target AO1 (knowledge and understanding) and AO2 (explanation of second order concepts). It will ask students to explain similarity or difference of two key events, individuals/groups or developments.
- The fourth question will be an essay question requiring a judgement. It will target AO1 and AO2.
| Part 1 Period Studies - This section is worth 40 marks.
- Students will answer 5 questions.
- The first question will ask students to describe a given feature. It will target knowledge and understanding (AO1).
- The second question will target AO1 (knowledge and understanding) and AO2 (explanation of second order concepts) and will focus on change.
- The third question will target AO1 and AO2 and will ask students to explain the relative significance/importance of three historical features or developments.
- The fourth question will target AO1 and AO2 and will ask students to give an explanation of a given issue.
- The final question will be an essay requiring a judgement. It will target AO1 and AO2.
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Section B British Depth Study - This section is worth 40 marks.
- Students answer four questions.
- The first question tests one interpretation (AO4).
- The second question will ask student to explain a given issue and will target AO1 and AO2.
- The third question will test AO1 and AO2 and ask students to write a structure account.
- The final question will also test AO1 and AO2. It will be an essay requiring a judgement. The question will focus on the Historic Environment.
| Part 2 Thematic Study - This section is worth 64 marks (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar).
- Students answer four questions.
- The first question asks students to identify one similarity and one difference (AO2) using three sources (AO3).
- The second question will ask students to evaluate two sources using their own knowledge and understanding (AO1) and the sources (AO3).
- The third question will ask students to describe an historical issue using their own knowledge and understanding (AO1).
- The fourth question will ask students to explain a given issue and will target AO1 and AO2.
- The fifth question will ask students to produce an extended narrative discussion of an issue whilst analysing the nature and extent of change or continuity. It will target AO1 and AO2.
- The final question will have two parts. The first part will ask students to describe key features of a specified historic site (AO1). The second part will ask students to provide an explanation and analysis of the way in which the specified historic site demonstrates continuity and/or change for a given issue (AO1 and AO2) and in doing this, its significance.
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Subject content
Paper 1
AQA History | Eduqas Component 1 Studies in Depth |
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Section A Period Study | Part 1 British studies in depth |
Students take one of the following options: 1A America, 1840–1895: Expansion and Consolidation - Expansion: opportunities and challenges
- Conflict across America
- Consolidation: forging the nation
1B Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship - Germany and the growth of democracy
- Germany and the depression
- The experiences of Germans under the Nazis
1C Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism - The end of Tsardom
- Lenin’s new society
- Starlin’s USSR
1D America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality - American people and the ‘Boom’
- Bust – Americans’ experiences of the Depression and New Deal
- Post-war America.
| Students take one of the following options: - 1A. Conflict and Upheaval: England, 1337-1381
- England in the fourteenth century
- The start of the Hundred Years’ War
- The course of the War Years’ War?
- The Black Death
- Legacy of the Black Death
- Peasant discontent
- Peasants’ Revolt
- 1B. The Elizabethan Age, 1558-1603
- Elizabethan government
- Lifestyles of rich and poor
- Popular entertainment
- The problem of religion
- The Catholic threat
- The Spanish Armada
- The Puritan threat
- 1C. Empire, Reform and War: Britain, 1890-1918
- The Second Boer War
- Political developments
- Social reform
- Women’s suffrage
- Culture and fashion
- The Western Front
- Impact of the First World War
- 1D. Austerity, Affluence and Discontent: Britain, 1951-1979
- Britain in the early 1950s
- The end of austerity
- Popular entertainment and fashion
- Changing lives of women
- Changing attitudes to authority
- Immigration
- Political and economic problems
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Section B Wider World Depth Study Students take one of the following options: Conflict and tension, the First World War, 1894–1918 - The causes of the First World War
- The First World War: stalemate
- Ending the war
Conflict and tension, the Interwar Years, 1918–1939 - Peace making
- The League of Nations and international peace
- The origins and outbreak of the Second World War
Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 - The origins of the Cold War
- The development of the Cold War
- Transformation of the Cold War
Conflict and tension in Asia, 1950–1975 - Conflict in Korea
- Escalation of conflict in Vietnam
- The ending of conflict in Vietnam
Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan - Tensions in the Gulf
- The war on Al-Qaeda
- The Iraq War.
| Part 2 Non-British Studies in Depth Students take one of the following options: 1E. The Crusades, c.1095-1149 - The power of the papacy
- Birth of the Crusades
- The First Crusade
- The Crusader Kingdoms
- The Second Crusade
- Importance of the Crusades
- Social and cultural effects of the Crusades
1F. The Voyages of Discovery and Conquest of the Americas, 1492-1522 - Reasons for the voyages of discovery
- Voyages of Columbus
- The explorers
- The Aztec civilization
- Hernan Cortes
- Defeat of the Aztecs
- Effects of the Spanish conquest
1G. Germany in Transition, 1919-1939 - Impact of the First World War
- Recovery of Weimar
- End of the Weimar Republic
- Consolidation of power
- Nazi economic, social and racial policy
- Terror and persuasion
- Hitler’s foreign policy
1H. The USA: A Nation of Contrasts, 1910-1929 - Immigration
- Religion and race
- Crime and corruption
- Economic boom
- The end of prosperity
- Popular entertainment
- Role of women
Students are required to study one option from 1A-D and one option from 1E-H. The two options studied must be from different historical eras (Medieval, 500-1500; Early Modern, 1450-1750; and Modern, 1700-present). |
Paper 2
AQA History | Eduqas Component 2 Studies in Breadth |
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Section A Thematic Study | Part 1 Period Studies |
Students take one of the following options: Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day - Medicine stands still
- The beginnings of change
- A revolution in medicine
- Modern medicine
Britain: Power and the people: c1170 to the present day - Challenging authority and feudalism
- Challenging royal authority
- Reform and reformers
- Equality and rights
Britain: Migration, empires and people: c790 to the present day - Conquered and conquerors
- Looking West
- Expansion and empire
- Britain in the 20th century.
| 2A. The Development of the USA, 1929-2000 - Economic downturn and recovery
- The economic impact of the Second World War and post-war developments
- The issue of Civil Rights 1941–1970
- Political change 1960–2000
- Social change 1950–2000
- Cold War rivalry
- The search for world peace since 1970
2B. The Development of Germany, 1919–1991 - Weimar Germany
- The Rise of the Nazi Party and its consolidation of power between 1933 and 1934
- Life under the Nazis
- Life during the Second World War
- West and East Germany between 1949 and 1991
- Cold War relations
- Co-operation and reconciliation
2C. The Development of the USSR, 1924–1991 - The rule of Stalin
- Changing life under Stalin
- Impact of the Second World War
- Cold War relations, 1945–91
- Political developments, 1953–85
- Political reform under Gorbachev
- The collapse of communism and the break-up of the USSR
2D. The Development of the UK, 1919–1990 - Britain in the Twenties
- Life during the Depression
- The Home Front
- Post-war Britain 1945–60
- The ‘Swinging Sixties’
- The ‘Stuttering Seventies’
- The Thatcher Years
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AQA History | Eduqas Component 2 Studies in Breadth |
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Section B British Depth Study | Part 2 Thematic Study |
Students take one of the following options incorporating the study of a specific historic environment: Norman England, c1066–c1100 - The Normans: conquest and control
- Life under the Normans
- The Norman Church and monasticism
- The historic environment of Norman England
Medieval England: the reign of Edward I, 1272–1307 - Government, the rights of King and people
- Life in Medieval England
- Edward I’s military campaigns in Wales and Scotland
- The historic environment of Medieval England
Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 - Elizabeth’s court and Parliament
- Life in Elizabethan times
- Troubles at home and abroad
- The historic environment of Elizabethan England
Restoration England, 1660–1685 - Crown, Parliament, plots and court life
- Life in Restoration England
- Land, trade and war
- The historic environment of Restoration England
| Students take one of the following options incorporating the study of a specific historic site: 2E. Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain, c.500 to the present day - Causes of crime
- Nature of crimes
- Enforcing law and order
- Methods of combating crime
- Methods of punishment
- Attitudes to crime and punishment
2F. Changes in Health and Medicine in Britain, c.500 to the present day - Causes of illness and disease
- Attempts to prevent illness and disease
- Attempts to treat and cure illness and disease
- Advances in medical knowledge
- Developments in patient care
- Developments in public health and welfare
2G. The Development of Warfare in Britain, c.500 to the present day - Causes of war
- Changes in tactics and strategy
- Training and recruitment
- Changes in technology
- Development of naval warfare
- The role of women in war
2H. Changes in Entertainment and Leisure in Britain, c.500 to the present day - Development of sport
- Holidays and travel
- Popular entertainment (theatre, stage and screen)
- Popular entertainment (sound and music)
- Childrens’ entertainment
- Cruelty in sport and entertainment
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