History, A-level

AS/A LEVEL
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course? It is not a requirement that you have studied History at GCSE in order to take an AS or A level course in the subject. A number of the topics offered for study are developments from GCSE but there are also plenty of topics offered which are likely to be new to most students. It is more important that you have an enquiring mind, an interest in the past and its relevance to current affairs and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively. Students will be considered on their individual experience and suitability for the course. Those students who have studied History GCSE will find that the skills they have learned and the knowledge they have acquired will form a solid foundation for further studies at AS/A level.

What will I learn on this course?
During your course you will learn:

  • About the significance of events, individuals, issues and societies in history
  • How and why societies have changed over time
  • About the theories of historians and the language that they use to discuss their ideas
  • To understand the nature of historical evidence and the methods used by historians to analyse and evaluate it
  • to develop an understanding of how the past has been interpreted and represented
  • to express your own historical ideas confidently and effectively.

Course Outline

  • The course is divided up into four teaching units.
  • Units 1 & 2 form the basis for the Advanced Subsidiary qualification. These two units are taught in Year 12.
  • Units 3 & 4 are taught in Year 13.
  • All four units have to be successfully undertaken in order to pass the full A Level in this subject

The topics studied in each unit are as follows:

  • Unit 1: Historical Themes in Breadth – Russia in Revolution, 1881-1924 Stalin’s Russia 1924-1953
  • Unit 2: British History Depth Studies – Britain 1830-85: Representation and Reform
  • Unit 3: Depth Studies and Associated Historical Controversies: Superpower Relations 1944-90
  • Unit 4: Historical Enquiry – A two-part Coursework Assignment chosen from 45 designed by Edexcel

What kind of student is this course suitable for?
The course will appeal to students who:

  • Have an interest in the way that the world has developed through the ages
  • Enjoy investigation and discovery
  • Enjoy debate and like putting forward a well-argued case
  • Want to improve their analytical skills
  • Want to study a subject which encourages them to consider evidence and make up their own minds
  • Want to broaden science AS or A level studies to include a humanities subject
  • Want to keep their options open. History is widely regarded as a useful qualification for a wide range of higher education or career choices

How will my work be assessed?
A combination of assessment techniques will be used. Students will be required to undertake extended writing and essays in all units, in order to present historical explanations, assess the significance of events, individuals, beliefs and movements, and to reach substantial judgements. Students will evaluate sources Units 2, 3 and 4 in order to reach judgements by analysis and evaluation, and to address historical claims and debates. Unit 4 will consist of 20% internal assessment.

  • Unit 1 – 50% of the total AS marks - 25% of the total GCE marks Written examination: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Unit 2 – 50% of the total AS marks - 25% of the total GCE marks Written examination: 1 hour 20 minutes.
  • Unit 3 – 60% of the total A2 marks - 30% of the total GCE marks Written examination: 2 hours.
  • Unit 4 – 40% of the total A2 marks - 20% of the total GCE marks An extended two part essay based on the focus of the enquiry – 4000 words (approx) in total
  • Part A – An enquiry in depth
  • Part B – Students will put their event or individual in a broader context

What skills can I develop by taking this course?
As well as covering advanced level study of History, this course will enable you to develop skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards. The skills you can develop during this course are:

  • Communication
  • Information technology
  • Problem solving
  • Working with others
  • Improving own learning and performance

History AS/A offers you plenty of opportunities to acquire the Key Skills. These will arise naturally during your lessons and might include presenting your ideas to the rest of your group, taking part in a discussion, using a computer database for research or working in a small group to investigate a historical problem.

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
Students who study AS or A level History have access to a wide range of career and higher education opportunities. By the end of your course you will have learned how to evaluate and analyse information, how to weigh up evidence and how to communicate complex ideas effectively. These skills are recognised and valued by employers, universities and colleges.
History combines well with maths and science subjects to create an attractive portfolio of qualifications, enabling a student to move on to a university science-based course.

Combined with English and a modern foreign language it would provide a good basis for an arts or languages-based degree. History AS/A provides an excellent foundation for a number of popular careers including journalism, law and business.