A Level History
Subject Leader:
Miss P Stannard
Exam Board:
Edexcel
Entry Requirements.
Grade 5 in GCSE History and a Grade 5 in English GCSE.
Why choose A Level History.
History isn’t about the past—it’s about understanding the present and shaping the future. The events, decisions, and movements of the past have made the world what it is today, and studying them gives you the tools to make sense of today’s society.
A-Level History is not only intellectually stimulating, but also highly respected by universities and employers alike. It develops key skills such as critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, and communication—making it an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers, particularly in law, politics, journalism, education, and public administration.
Most importantly, History helps you understand how and why the world works the way it does—giving you insight into current political, social, and economic issues through the lens of the past.
What you will study in A Level History.
You will look at a mixture of British and European history as well as some American history in Year 13.
Some of the work will involve in-depth studies, looking at a relatively short period of time, whilst other units look at issues and change over more than a hundred years. You will study political, social, economic and military history.
Major topics on the course include:
- Why did England descend into civil war in the seventeenth century?
- How revolutionary was the Glorious Revolution of 1688?
- Why was Tsarist power overthrown in Russia in 1917?
- Why were Lenin and the Bolsheviks able to take power?
- How did African-Americans win the struggle for Civil Rights?
- How have Civil Rights issues been presented in fiction and film?
How you will be assessed in A Level History.
| Unit 1 | Two essays and one interpretation based question on Britain 1625-1700 | 30% | Exam |
| Unit 2 | One essay and one source based question on Russia 1894-1924 | 20% | Exam |
| Unit 3 | Two essays and one source based question on Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA 1850-2009 | 30% | Exam |
| Unit 4 | Coursework on the significance of Martin Luther King. | 20% | Coursework |
Progression and Careers linked to History.
Your A Level in History gives you knowledge and skills which can go on to become historical researchers, work in heritage organisations or become teachers. But History also supports other career paths, like business, journalism, politics, law, social work and public services.
Additional Information.
Example assessment materials:
Revision materials
- My Revision Notes Edexcel AS/A Level History: Britain, 1625-1701: Conflict, revolution and Settlement.
- My Revision Notes Edexcel AS/A Level History: Russia in Revolution, 1894-1924.
- My Revision Notes Edexcel A Level History: Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA 1850-2009.
You will be expected to purchase the course textbook, Bursary students will have this funded for them.