Humanities after year 9
Humanities subjects include history, geography, religious studies and sociology.
Humanities are about people and the way they live – or used to live.
The information below refers to the current GCSE specifications. The Government
is consulting on changes to GCSEs in England. Speak to your teachers for more
information about the GCSE courses available at your school.
In years 10 & 11
Most schools offer history, geography and religious studies as part of their GCSE
options programme. Not all schools offer all humanities subjects; however, all
maintained schools must provide religious education – but not necessarily leading to
exams. You don't have to take history and geography after the age of 14, but you
are entitled to study at least one of them if you want to. You may be able to take
a GCSE or a GCSE (short course).
Religious studies: If you decide to take a GCSE in the subject, you will learn about
different religions and beliefs. You will discuss moral and topical issues, and ask
questions about the meaning of life. You don't need to hold religious beliefs to
study and enjoy this subject.
Geography: You will learn about land forms and study different places – what they
are like, how their populations live and their economic activity. The subject
includes some fieldwork and practical work, such as using GIS and maps. You learn
to record, analyse, interpret and present data. Topics covered include climate
change, ecosystems and how humans can affect all these things.
History: You will discover facts about the past, relate them to the present and
think about how it might have been to live through events in the recent and
distant past. Classical civilisation and ancient history GCSEs are available in some
schools, and involve learning about the Romans and Ancient Greeks. All history
courses encourage you to find out things for yourself and see how it’s possible to
look at history in different ways.
Sociology: You will study the relationships between individuals, groups, institutions
and society and learn to analyse and assess different sources of information.
Topics studied include social change, inequality and socialisation. If sociology is not
offered as a GCSE at your school, you could still take it at a higher level later,
perhaps through an A level course.
Humanities: You may have the opportunity to take a GCSE in humanities, which
includes aspects of citizenship, geography, history, religious studies and sociology.
In your working life
Apart from gaining knowledge, studying the humanities will help you to develop the
skills of researching information from different sources, analysing information, and
organising and presenting facts. These skills are useful for a wide range of jobs.
In your everyday life
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Humanities subjects give a valuable insight into current affairs – the types of
news stories that are reported on the television, radio, internet and in
newspapers.
If you intend to travel, you may know more about the places you visit and the
people you meet.
You will have a better understanding of other people's cultures and points of
view.
Job ideas using humanities
History is useful for a range of careers including:
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archive work
museum work
theatrical costume design
archaeology
working in auctions
heritage work
conservation and restoration of works of art.
Geography is a good background for working in:
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travel agencies and tour operating companies
transport and logistics
landscape architecture
planning (town and country)
import and export work
environmental conservation
meteorology
surveying.
Religious studies or sociology might help you if you want a career in social work,
nursing, counselling, teaching, youth work, community work or law, for instance.
Many people choose to study one of the humanities subjects at university or
college because they are interested in the particular subject. They can then go
into a wide range of jobs in commerce, industry or in the public sector.
What other jobs can you think of where you need to be good at, or interested in,
humanities?
Some facts and figures
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Most geography and history graduates go into business, marketing, financial or
public sector work, rather than into careers directly related to their degree
subject.
You rarely need sociology at GCSE or A level to study it at university.
If you want to work in certain careers (e.g. nature conservation or
archaeology), science qualifications can be as important as humanities subjects.
There are around 2,500 museums and art galleries in Britain.
To study earth sciences such as geology or meteorology later on, you will need
sciences as well as geography.
TV programmes – such as Coast and Who Do You Think You Are? – have brought
history and geography to life for millions of people. There's a new level of
interest in associated books, websites and magazines.