History (AS and A2 Level)

Advanced Level history is a qualification highly respected by employers, universities and all institutes providing higher education. It demonstrates the possession of a number of valuable skills and abilities.

AS (8HI01)

Unit 1 Historical Themes in Breadth (25%)

This unit enables students to study aspects of the past through periods or themes. The unit addresses breadth of study, requiring students to address two linked themes from a range of perspectives, for example, social, religious, political and cultural. The unit is assessed with a 1 hour 20 minutes external written examination.

Unit 2 British History Depth Studies (25%)

For this unit, students will study British history in some depth. Grounded in an exploration of source material in its historical context, this unit enables students to develop an in-depth understanding of the attitudes, beliefs and structures of the societies they study. In working with selected sources, students will be required to demonstrate evidence skills which enable them to make reasoned and supported judgments and to address a historical view or claim. The unit is assessed with a 1 hour 20 minutes external written examination.

A2 (9HI01)

Unit 3 Depth Studies and Associated Historical Controversies (30%)

For unit 3, students undertake a study in some depth at a more demanding level than the preceding units at AS Level. Students gain from a firm understanding both of the selected chronology and of key issues, problems and debates associated with it. Each of these studies in depth enables students to explore the nature of challenges and conflict both within the period and relating to the societies and/or political systems studied. The unit is assessed with a 2 hour external written examination.

Unit 4 Historical Enquiry (20%)

For the final unit of the Advance GCE in history, students address key aspects of a chosen theme over a period of at least 100 years in order to develop their understanding of the process of change over a long period. Students will investigate issues relating to their causes and consequences, both long and short term, and will demonstrate an understanding of factors that may accelerate, consolidate or retard the process of change. Students will follow a short introductory course which provides an overview of the key strands of development in the chosen topic over a period of at least 100 years. The course will provide the context for students’ enquiries. The unit is assessed in two parts internally. The first part is an extended essay which addresses the question at the start of the focus, whereas the second part is again an extended essay but addresses the question that was posed as the focus of the enquiry.

Entry Requirements 5 GCSE grades at A*-C, including GCSE English. It is not essential that candidates have studied history at GCSE. Nonetheless, a love of reading, enthusiasm for enquiry and the ability to discuss and debate key issues, together with evidence of academic achievement, is required.