Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level History (YHI01)
Develop historical explanation and evaluation through depth, breadth, thematic and international studies.
Specification Issue 6, July 2021
Course structure and assessment routes
- IAS History XHI01: Units 1 and 2. IAL History YHI01: all four units, assessed in stages or together. Choose one option for each unit.
- Forbidden combinations: Unit 1 Russia with Unit 2 Russia; Unit 1 Germany with Unit 3 Germany; Unit 3 British Warfare with Unit 4 Modern Europe.
Main syllabus content
- Unit 1 options: France, Russia, Germany or Britain
- Unit 2 options: India, China, Russia or South Africa
- Unit 3 options: USA, British warfare, Germany or US civil rights
- Unit 4 options: Modern Europe, World in Crisis, Superpower Relations or Cold/Hot War in Asia
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
YHI01 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
WHI01
Unit 1: Depth Study with Interpretations
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 50
- Weighting
- 50% IAS / 25% IAL
Select one of options 1A–1D; answer two essays from four.
WHI02
Unit 2: Breadth Study with Source Evaluation
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 50
- Weighting
- 50% IAS / 25% IAL
Select one of options 1A–1D; source evaluation plus an essay.
WHI03
Unit 3: Thematic Study with Source Evaluation
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 50
- Weighting
- 25% IAL
Select one of options 1A–1D; source analysis plus an essay.
WHI04
Unit 4: International Study with Historical Interpretations
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 50
- Weighting
- 25% IAL
Select one of options 1A–1D; interpretations plus an essay.
Key assessment information
- All units are externally assessed. Unit codes are shown with the option choices separately; select the correct option-specific paper in the archive. Check exact historical dates and permitted combinations in the linked specification.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official YHI01 syllabus/specification (PDF). Specification Issue 6, July 2021.
Source PDF pages: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.