Congratulations on your exam results

Congratulations to everyone getting their GCSE and other exam results today, especially those of you who took history – well done – phew, milestone achieved!

You’ve worked hard to get this far, even if you are not always recognised for it – so take a breath and consider your options carefully.

In a selfish way, we hope that you want to continue to study history at A-level or a related qualification, with the intention of carrying on further with it, academically or professionally. However, statistically we realise that is not always likely, which is a shame as studying history and working in the history and heritage community is incredibly fulfilling and satisfying. 

We know that if you have studied history or a related subject then the knowledge you have learnt as well as the skills that you have gained will stand you in good stead for tackling any number of subjects, careers and current affairs discussions that you may now choose or encounter as you move forward. Studying history provides you with an academic rigour and knowledge base which equips you with an ability to decipher the complicated world around you. Studying history in detail hones your investigative skills as well as your analytical ones.

History is a facilitating subject for a wide variety of careers, and a career in history and heritage can also be highly rewarding and fulfilling – find out more in our series of Careers with history films.

However, regardless of what you are going to do next remember that an interest in history is something that you can carry with you throughout your life, in many careers and life choices and the Historical Association is here to help support that interest along the way. Just as the study of history can be about listening to the voices of the past, the Historical Association is also about gathering voices together to share historical knowledge, provide expertise and to develop an environment where questions of the past can be asked and discussed, allowing many voices to contribute, listen and learn. 

Now go and enjoy yourself – you will have had enough of lectures!

Oh, and teachers, parents, guardians and mentors – relax, breathe deeply, pat yourself on the back for getting this far and get ready for the next challenge!