Menu
Head of Department
Mr R McDonald
Why choose the subject?
‘To be ignorant of what happened before you were born is to be forever a child.’ Cicero.
Studying History has far more uses than you may imagine. Many employers are only too willing to accept people with a History qualification at either A level or degree level, particularly Business, Commerce, Management Training, Personnel, the Civil Service, Accountancy, the Legal Profession or Retailing. This is because studying History enables you to develop skills of analysis, logical thinking, powers of deduction and formulation of ideas and arguments. These are just the sort of skills that all employers are looking for. In fact, the senior recruiting officer for one of the major banks once admitted that they were looking for people with a background in History – in preference to any other subject!
Finally, if you enjoyed GCSE History, you will enjoy History at A level even more!
Who is eligible?
We like students doing History to have at least a grade 6 at GCSE. However, some students in certain circumstances join the course without having studied GCSE History but they should have at least a grade 6 in English. We particularly welcome those students who are quite well organised, able to work independently and who have plenty of enthusiasm!
Qualification Type: A Level (2 year) or AS Level (1 year)
Specification: Year 2023/2025 Advanced Level Examination Board: OCR
For info about the AS Level click here
With a Historical Enquiry featuring in the full A-Level Course, independent learning and study skills are expected and developed. A willingness to undertake personal reading is a crucial pre-condition for success.
British Period Study and Enquiry
Y106 England 1485 – 1558 : The Early Tudors (Enquiry Topic – Mid Tudor Crisis 1547 – 58)
Non-British Period Study
Y223 The Cold War in Europe 1941 – 1995
Thematic Study and Historical Interpretations
Y319 Civil Rights in the USA 1865 – 1992
UNIT 1: Y106 England 1485 – 1558 : The Early Tudors(Enquiry Topic – Mid Tudor Crisis 1547 – 58)
1 hour 30 minutes, 25% of A level, One essay and one document based question.
UNIT 2: Y223 The Cold War in Europe 1941 – 1995
1 hour, 15% of A level, One essay and one mini essay question.
UNIT 3: Y319 Civil Rights in the USA 1865 – 1992
2 hour 30 minutes, 40% A level, One essay question and one document-based question.
UNIT 4: Y100 Coursework
An independently researched 3000 – 4000 word essay analysing different perspectives using a range of primary and secondary sources. 20% of A level
Studying history helps us understand and grapple with complex questions and dilemmas by examining how the past has shaped (and continues to shape) global, national, and local relationships between societies and people.
This course is commonly studied with:
As an A-Level subject, history complements several other A-Level courses, including English language or literature, religious studies, business and politics.
Future Careers:
Academia, research, civil service, law, politics, journalism, archaeology, business, PR, marketing.
Students can study history for just one academic year and achieve an AS qualification worth 40% of the UCAS points.
Year 2023/2024 Advanced Subsidiary Award Examination Board: OCR
UNIT 1: Y106 England 1485 – 1558 : The Early Tudors (Enquiry Topic – Mid Tudor Crisis 1547 – 58)
1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of AS Level, One essay and one document based question.
UNIT 2: Y223 The Cold War in Europe 1941 – 1995
1 hour 30min, 50% of AS Level, One essay and one mini essay question.
