Humanities

At Queen Ethelburga’s College, an award-winning independent school near York, you can explore a wide range of Humanities courses, including History and Geography at both GCSE and A Level.

Our broad and engaging curriculum will develop a deeper understanding of the world around you, past and present, and equip you with transferable skills in critical thinking, analysis, and communication.

Geography fieldwork trip.

Geography field trips are always a popular favourite with our students.

Why Choose Humanities Subjects at QE?

Strong academic results with students progressing to top Russell Group universities, such as King’s College London, Durham and Nottingham.
Educational trips to European cities like Lisbon, Madrid, Helsinki, and Berlin.
Fieldwork opportunities in the Yorkshire Dales, local rivers, and Leeds city centre.
Modern and traditional learning spaces that support independent and group study.
Opportunities to become a Humanities Ambassador and lead on student initiatives.
Wide-ranging super-curricular options, including Philosophy and Critical Thinking.

History Courses Near York

“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Spanish Philosopher, George Santayana

Studying History teaches you to critically evaluate evidence, interpret historical artefacts, and understand how key events have shaped society today. It also hones your essay-writing skills and your ability to analyse complex issues from various perspectives, helping you to reflect on culture, identity, and what it means to be human.

GCSE History – Pearson Edexcel (1HI0)
“I enjoyed the Cold War unit - it felt like watching a gripping movie. Creating timelines and mind maps really helped!” GCSE History covers five topics exploring the history of Britain and the wider world. Through three exam papers, you’ll learn to question the reliability and purpose of historical sources. Key Topics: Medicine in Britain, c1250-present The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18 Henry VIII and his ministers, 1509-40 Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 The USA, 1954-75: Conflict at Home and Abroad
AS and A Level History – OCR
“A captivating subject that broadens your understanding of the current world situation. It makes you think how different the world could be if certain events had not happened and how important they are to current world affairs.” A Level History encourages critical thinking and historical reflection, providing insight into influential periods and the people behind pivotal decisions. Year 1 Topics: England 1547-1603: The Later Tudors Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany 1919-1963 Year 2 Topics: Civil Rights in the USA, 1865-1992 Topic-Based Essay (Coursework)

GCSE History – Pearson Edexcel (1HI0)

“I enjoyed the Cold War unit - it felt like watching a gripping movie. Creating timelines and mind maps really helped!”

GCSE History covers five topics exploring the history of Britain and the wider world. Through three exam papers, you’ll learn to question the reliability and purpose of historical sources.

Key Topics:

Medicine in Britain, c1250-present
The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18
Henry VIII and his ministers, 1509-40
Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91
The USA, 1954-75: Conflict at Home and Abroad

AS and A Level History – OCR

“A captivating subject that broadens your understanding of the current world situation. It makes you think how different the world could be if certain events had not happened and how important they are to current world affairs.”

A Level History encourages critical thinking and historical reflection, providing insight into influential periods and the people behind pivotal decisions.

Year 1 Topics:

England 1547-1603: The Later Tudors
Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany 1919-1963

Year 2 Topics:

Civil Rights in the USA, 1865-1992
Topic-Based Essay (Coursework)

Students attending the Berlin trip.

Geography Courses Near York

Geography helps students understand the interactions between people, places, and environments. At GCSE and A Level, Geography combines knowledge from subjects like economics, biology, and environmental science to explore the world’s most pressing physical and human issues.

GCSE Geography – Pearson Edexcel (1GA0)
“I chose Geography as in my home country I saw people living very different lives and I wanted to learn why this was and compare this to other places in the world.” GCSE Geography answers big questions about global development, urbanisation, and sustainability. It teaches you to analyse data, identify patterns, and draw connections between global events. Key Topics: Hazardous Earth Development Dynamics Challenges of an Urbanising World The UK’s Evolving Physical Landscape: Coastal Changes and Conflict; River Processes and Pressures The UK’s Evolving Human Landscape: Dynamic UK Cities Geographical Investigations: Physical Fieldwork and Human Fieldwork People and the Biosphere Forests Under Threat Consuming Energy Resources
AS and A Level Geography – Pearson Edexcel
“Geography is my favourite subject in the Sixth Form. I love how it combines features of all subjects, ranging from economics all the way to biology and chemistry, whilst still maintaining a geographical core. It has helped me to thrive in all my subjects! I find geography very useful in day-to-day life and enjoy the fact that I can use what I’ve learnt to find out about how and why things happen in the environment, making the subject so much more interesting and appealing.” A Level Geography will advance your learning of the physical and human processes taking place in the world. The course will teach you how the world works and how to think critically about the problems and solutions for forthcoming generations. Year 1 Topics: Tectonic Processes and Hazards Coastal Landscapes and Change Globalisation Regenerating Places Year 2 Topics: Water Cycle and Water Insecurity Carbon Cycle and Energy Security Superpowers Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

GCSE Geography – Pearson Edexcel (1GA0)

“I chose Geography as in my home country I saw people living very different lives and I wanted to learn why this was and compare this to other places in the world.”

GCSE Geography answers big questions about global development, urbanisation, and sustainability. It teaches you to analyse data, identify patterns, and draw connections between global events.

Key Topics:

Hazardous Earth
Development Dynamics
Challenges of an Urbanising World
The UK’s Evolving Physical Landscape: Coastal Changes and Conflict; River Processes and Pressures
The UK’s Evolving Human Landscape: Dynamic UK Cities
Geographical Investigations: Physical Fieldwork and Human Fieldwork
People and the Biosphere
Forests Under Threat
Consuming Energy Resources

AS and A Level Geography – Pearson Edexcel

“Geography is my favourite subject in the Sixth Form. I love how it combines features of all subjects, ranging from economics all the way to biology and chemistry, whilst still maintaining a geographical core. It has helped me to thrive in all my subjects! I find geography very useful in day-to-day life and enjoy the fact that I can use what I’ve learnt to find out about how and why things happen in the environment, making the subject so much more interesting and appealing.”

A Level Geography will advance your learning of the physical and human processes taking place in the world. The course will teach you how the world works and how to think critically about the problems and solutions for forthcoming generations.

Year 1 Topics:

Tectonic Processes and Hazards
Coastal Landscapes and Change
Globalisation
Regenerating Places

Year 2 Topics:

Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
Superpowers
Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

Global Perspectives Course – Key Stage Four

IGCSE Global Perspectives – Cambridge International Examinations

Now in its second year at QE, Global Perspectives is available to Key Stage Four students (ages 14–16). It explores major global challenges from personal to global viewpoints, helping you to develop reasoning, research, and collaboration skills.

"There are so many issues affecting the world today that it is our duty to not only learn about them, but to consider how we can help. This course will help you understand these problems but also give you the skills to be part of the solution."

Mr Oldershaw, Academic Director of QE

Topics may include:
Arts in society Change in culture and communities Climate change, energy and resources Conflict and peace Development, trade and aid Digital world Education for all Employment Environment, pollution and conservation Globalisation Health and wellbeing Law and criminality Media and communication Migration and urbanisation Political power and action Poverty and inequality Social identity and inclusion Sport and recreation Technology, industry and innovation Transport, travel and tourism Values and beliefs Water, food and agriculture

Topics may include:

Arts in society
Change in culture and communities
Climate change, energy and resources
Conflict and peace
Development, trade and aid
Digital world
Education for all
Employment
Environment, pollution and conservation
Globalisation
Health and wellbeing
Law and criminality
Media and communication
Migration and urbanisation
Political power and action
Poverty and inequality
Social identity and inclusion
Sport and recreation
Technology, industry and innovation
Transport, travel and tourism
Values and beliefs
Water, food and agriculture

Discover Humanities Courses Near York at QE

Whether you're passionate about History, Geography, or global affairs, Queen Ethelburga’s College offers the perfect environment to challenge and inspire you. Join us at an Open Day or arrange a private tour to meet our dedicated academic team and explore our Sixth Form.

Contact Admissions today to begin your journey.

Humanities

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