SCQF Level 5 · Qualifications Scotland
National 5 History
Taken by most Scottish pupils in S4, History leads to Higher History in S5. Here is how the course works, what the assessment involves, and what to expect in the exam.
2 hours 20 minutes
Exam duration
20%
Coursework
100
Total marks
S4
Typical year
How Assessment Works
National 5 History is assessed across 2 components, totalling 100 marks.
Question Paper
ExamQuestions on the three chosen historical study topics. Mix of source analysis and extended response questions. Set and marked by Qualifications Scotland.
Assignment
CourseworkCandidates research a historical question, prepare a resource sheet (single A4 page, max 200 words), then write the assignment in 1 hour using only that resource sheet. Submitted to Qualifications Scotland for external marking.
Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Percentage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A | 70% or above | Excellent |
| B | 60–69% | Very good |
| C (Pass) | 50–59% | Pass — required for entry to Higher |
| D | 40–49% | Award (does not count as a pass for Higher progression) |
| No Award | Below 40% | Not awarded |
Grade thresholds are the published Qualifications Scotland standard. Actual cut scores are set by post-marking standardisation and are not published.
What You Study
National 5 History is organised into 3 course areas.
Historical Study: Scottish
- Options include: Wars of Independence 1286–1328; Treaty of Union 1689–1740; Migration and Empire 1830–1939; Era of the Great War 1900–1928
Historical Study: British
- Options include: The Atlantic Slave Trade 1770–1807; Changing Britain 1760–1914; The Making of Modern Britain 1880–1951; Britain and Ireland 1900–1985
Historical Study: European and World
- Options include: Hitler and Nazi Germany 1919–1939; Free at Last? Civil Rights in the USA 1918–1968; Red Flag: Lenin and the Russian Revolution 1894–1921; Mussolini and Fascist Italy 1919–1939; The American West 1865–1895
Important Assessment Notes
Assignment Note
Written under exam conditions (1 hour) using a single A4 resource sheet you prepare in advance (max 200 words). Topic chosen from your course content.
After National 5 History
Most pupils who achieve a grade C or above in National 5 History progress to Higher History in S5. Higher History.
Next step
Higher History guide →
Course structure, assessment and grade boundaries for Higher History.
Editor’s note
Each school chooses which historical topics to study from the approved list — your class will not cover all of them. Check which topics your teacher has chosen early in S3/S4, as exam questions are specific to those topics.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about National 5 History
How is National 5 History assessed?
National 5 History is assessed through the following components: Question Paper (80 marks, 2 hours 20 minutes); Assignment (20 marks, 1 hour (under exam conditions)). The total is 100 marks, with 20% coming from coursework.
How long is the National 5 History exam?
The National 5 History exam is 2 hours 20 minutes. There is also a coursework component worth 20% of the total grade.
What grade do you need to pass National 5 History?
You need a grade C or above (50% or more) to pass National 5 History. Grade C is the minimum required for progression to Higher History in S5. Grade A requires 70%+, grade B requires 60–69%, and grade C requires 50–59%.
Does National 5 History have coursework?
Yes — coursework makes up 20% of the total grade in National 5 History. Written under exam conditions (1 hour) using a single A4 resource sheet you prepare in advance (max 200 words). Topic chosen from your course content.
What do you study in National 5 History?
National 5 History covers the following course areas: Historical Study: Scottish, Historical Study: British, Historical Study: European and World. Together these give a broad foundation at SCQF Level 5, leading to Higher History in S5.
What comes after National 5 History?
After National 5 History, most pupils progress to Higher History in S5. See our detailed guide to Higher History for course structure and assessment information.
Course data sourced from Qualifications Scotland course specifications. Assessment details correct for the 5.0 (May 2024) specification.
Full course documentation available at qualifications.scot.