The UK Sense of Identity (AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

The composition of the UK

• The UK is made up of four nations - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Its island geography and long history as an independent state have contributed to a shared sense of British identity, though each nation also has its own identity, culture and political institutions

England

• England's capital city is London

• England is the largest nation in the UK, with around 85% of the UK population

• It is home to the UK Parliament and most central government institutions, making it the political centre of the UK

Scotland

• Scotland's capital city is Edinburgh

• Scotland has its own legal and education systems and a devolved parliament with significant powers over areas such as health, education and transport

Wales

• Wales' capital city is Cardiff

• Wales has a distinct cultural and linguistic identity, including the Welsh language

• It has a devolved legislature which makes laws on areas like education, health and the environment

Northern Ireland

• The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast

• Northern Ireland has a unique political history

• It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and has a power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly, designed to represent both unionist and nationalist communities

UK identity

What is ‘Britishness’?

• UK identity is often described through the idea of Britishness

  • This refers to a shared sense of belonging to the United Kingdom

• Many people connect British identity with national symbols and long-standing institutions, such as the Monarchy, which represents all four nations of the UK

How the UK has changed over time

• The UK’s identity has evolved because the four nations have different histories

  • Scotland was once an independent country with its own monarchy and still has its own legal system today

  • Wales was historically separate from England before becoming part of the UK

  • Ireland was part of the UK until 1921, when it was divided. Northern Ireland remained in the UK, and this division still influences politics today

• These historical differences help explain why people often feel both British and national identities, such as Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish

Devolution and multiple identities

• Since the late 1990s, each nation has been given devolved powers, meaning their own parliament or assembly can make decisions on issues like health, education and transport

• As a result, many people now have a dual identity, such as

  • British and Scottish

  • British and Welsh

  • British and Northern Irish

• Even within England, some people have strong regional identities, such as being from Cornwall, Yorkshire or the North-East

Shared and separate identities in daily life

• Despite differences between nations, people across the UK share many common values such as democracy, respect, equality and the rule of law

• However, separate national identities often appear

  • In sport, Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland compete separately in football or rugby

  • However, in the Olympics, teams join together as Team GB (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

• These examples show how people can feel part of the UK while also belonging strongly to their own nation or region

What shapes someone’s sense of being British?

• People living in the UK often link their British identity to factors such as

  • shared history and traditions

  • national institutions (e.g. Parliament, Monarchy, the NHS)

  • common values

  • cultural influences (music, food, media)

  • pride in sporting achievements

  • the UK’s role in world events

• Identity varies from person to person, but these themes often appear when people explain why they feel British