History A Level

Maplesden Noakes School, The

, Buckland Road, Great Buckland, MAIDSTONE, ME16 0TJ

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

The Maplesden Noakes School

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

NULL

Application Instructions

Applications open: 10 November 2025

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Course Summary

The course is taught in an inter-active manner which caters for differing learning styles. Lessons are full of debate - and great use is made of a range of source materials (film, posters, diary extracts, documentaries etc.) to bring topics to life!

Nationalism, dictatorship and democracy in twentieth century Europe

Course Structure - The full A Level course consists of four parts

Component One: Germany and West Germany 1918-89

Component Two: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy. 1911-46

Component Three: Poverty, Public Health and the state in Britain 1780-1939.

Component Four: Internally assessed coursework.

Course Details

Component 1: Germany and West Germany 1918-89

There are 4 themes explored in this component:

1) Political and governmental change 1918-89

2) Opposition, control and consent, 1918-89

3) Economic development and policies 1918-89

4) Aspects of life in Germany and West Germany, 1918-89

There is a focus on historical interpretations which will include assessing the following:

1) How far was Hitler’s foreign policy responsible for the Second World War?

This will consider the influence of German history on Nazi foreign policy, Hitler’s ideas and his role in the shaping of Nazi foreign policy, the reasons for the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the contribution of other nations to the outbreak of war.

Component 2: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy 1911-46

1) The Liberal State 1911-18

2) The rise of Mussolini and the creation of a fascist dictatorship 1919-26

3) The fascist state, 1925-40

4) Challenges to and the fall of, the fascist state 1939-46

Component 3: Poverty, Public health and the state in Britain 1780-1939

1) The impetus for public health reforms

2) Changes in Public Health

3) Paupers and Pauperism 1780-1832

4) Less eligibility: the poor law amendment act and its impact

5) Government self-help and charity 1847-80

6) Social and Welfare reforms

7) Depression and the Dole – poverty in the inter-war years 1920-39

Component 4: Non-Examined Assessment

Students will research and write an assignment of up to 4000 words of a topic area of interest. In this assignment students will use their interpretation and analysis skills to debate an historic event.

Useful websites:

https://massolit.io/subjects/history/option/1g-germany-and-west-germany-1918-89

https://massolit.io/subjects/history/option/2g-1-the-rise-and-fall-of-fascism-in-italy-c1911-46

https://www.brainscape.com/packs/poverty-public-health-and-the-state-in-britain-c1780-1939-10255269

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Component 1: Germany and West Germany 1918-89

A breadth study consisting of an exam of 2 hours 15 minutes. Students answer 3 questions based on their knowledge and an assessment of an interpretation.

Component 2: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy. 1911-46

A written exam of 1 hour 30 minutes. students will answer two questions.

Component 3: Poverty, Public Health and the state in Britain 1780-1939.

A written examination of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Students will answer 3 questions. 1 on sources, 1 on the study in depth and 1 on the study in breadth.

Component 4: Internally assessed coursework.

A written piece of 4000 words which will explore a problem or issue, this is researched by students and forms 20% of the final grade.

Entry requirements

Grade 5-9 in GCSE English. (If taken) 5-9 in GCSE History

Your next steps...

Degree courses based around History or the historical skills you gain from the course. Career paths in:

Hertiage and conservation, Teaching, Archaeology, Archives, Journalism, Civil Service, Editorial roles, Politics, Law among many others.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.