History
faqs
Do I need to have studied History at GCSE to take A Level History?
In short, yes. We require prospective students to have achieved a Level 6 in GCSE History. In the rare occurrence you have not studied History at GCSE and want to study it at A Level, then a conversation with Mrs Doyne-Ditmas (Subject Leader for History) is essential.
What opportunities are there outside of the classroom?
In a joint trip in October of Year 13, History & Politics students go on a week long trip to Washington DC and New York City. In addition to this, there is a truly unique opportunity for two students each year to go to Auschwitz on a “24 hour” trip.
Where can History take me?
History A Level is considered one of the strongest “facilitating subjects”. This means that Universities are drawn to a candidate who has studied History, as it equips students with a broad range of analytical skills that are applicable to every single degree course.
Context:
History is a well-respected subject across the business and academic world. The skills developed throughout the course will prove invaluable throughout your life. History teaches you to debate, analyse, evaluate, think outside the box, critically compare and enables you to fulfil your potential in all subjects. History complements a variety of subjects across the curriculum such as English, Government and Politics, Social Sciences, Geography and Law. A History A Level is a desirable component of any successful university application.
Exam Board:
AQA
Assessment:
A Level – Two exams
- Breadth study paper 1
- Depth study paper 2
A Level – Historical Investigation
Course Details:
Breadth Study – The Tudors: England 1469 – 1603
- Henry VII – birth of the Tudors
- Henry VIII – consolidation of dynasty and reform of the Church
- Edward VI and Mary I – turmoil
- Elizabeth I – triumph of England
Depth Study – America – The American Dream 1945- 1980
- Birth of a new superpower 1945
- The growth of the US consumer boom
- American Civil Rights
- US foreign policy in the Cold War
- The importance of the US Presidents 1945-1980
Historical Investigation
- A personal study based on a topic of the student’s choice – the question needs to cover 100 years and must not cross over with the content from Breadth or Depth study.
Other Learning Opportunities:
- Supporting KS3/4 students in History lessons
- Attendance at national History conferences with leading Historians
- KS5 History trip to America and English Historical sites
- Links with university History departments
- Debating society
Where next with this course?
A Level History is a desirable qualification for a number of university courses and professions. The skills developed and enhanced through the subject result in job opportunities from a variety of areas both in the public sector and the world of academia. Key opportunities include Journalism, Law, Finance, Marketing, Business, Politics, PR, Medicine and of course any career directly related such as Museum Curator, Archaeologist, Historical Author, Historical advisor.
Employers and universities alike find History A Level develops students as highly developed problem solvers and critical thinkers and value these skills above all else.