You must select a minimum AND maximum of 5 subject choices:
Option A - 3 main subject choices* + an enhancement subject choice** + a reserve subject choice***
Option B - 4 main subject choices + a reserve subject choice
*a main subject choice is a full A Level subject e.g Mathematics/Geography/Physics/German etc ** an enhancement subject choice is either EPQ, Maths in Context or Trinity Acting Exams ***a reserve choice can be either a full A Level or another enhancement option
Course Summary
History
A Level
AQA Advanced Level GCE in History
Why study History?
The GCE History course has been designed to help students understand the value and significance of world events in the past. In the process you’ll gain a deeper understanding of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Knowing how people lived in the past helps to understand why people act like they do today.
Course Details
Examined Components
Component one
Historical Themes in Breadth - The British Empire, c1857 - 1967
At its territorial peak the British Empire consisted of 120 overseas colonies. From Canada to New Zealand and from the Falkland Islands to Hong Kong the British flag fluttered over so much space that some said ‘the sun never set’ upon it. Opinions about this empire were both varied at the time and remain split to this day. Whilst the empire brought significant gains to Britain it was not always a welcome presence for those who lived inside the colonies. Equally, not all British people celebrated the empire and not all indigenous people resented it. Welcome, therefore, to a truly fascinating topic to get your teeth into! This course will focus on issues such as why the empire grew and collapsed, what drove imperial policy, how economic factors influenced expansion, how British culture was impacted, how indigenous peoples (such as the Banti and Mau Mau) responded to rule from London and the role of key individuals (such as Gandhi and Rhodes) and groups at that time.
Component 2
Historical Depth Study - America, A Nation Divided c1845-1877
This option provides for the study of three beguiling questions - 1) what caused the Northern and Southern states of the USA to tear apart and suffer four years of bloody civil war, 2) how did President Lincoln win the conflict and vanquish the Confederates and 3) how successfully was America glued back together again in the years after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House? Students will be taken back to an era when slavery was not only a norm across the Southern states but also something that many people were prepared to fight and die to preserve - even if they didn’t own slaves themselves! It was a time when courageous men and women took flight from their plantations in the dead of night and exploited the underground railroad to escape to the free lands of the north - or got caught in the act. Many of the successful fugitives eventually came to take up arms against their former masters when war came in 1861. From the notorious Dred Scott decision in the Supreme Court to African Americans being voted into Congress as representatives and from the famed Battle of Gettysburg to the infamous murder of a President this course promises to keep students on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Students also have the opportunity to research and write an extended essay on what was truly causing people in the Early Modern era to risk rising up against their Tudor rulers and their ministers. Students will pursue independent research throughout Year 12 in order to enable them to spend Terms 5 and 6 formulating their argument and selecting primary sources and historians’s interpretations to support it. Time for writing this 4,500 word piece will also occur during this window of time and we tend to find that most students enjoy the challenge and feeling of pride and accomplishment that this opportunity provides. Whilst this is an independent pursuit we would emphasise that a great deal of guidance and support will always be at hand from well experienced teachers.
Enrichment
A variety of experiences including individual research, whole class discussion and online lectures. The history teachers here are always looking out for opportunities to call in experts who are willing to speak to students and respond to questions. Recommendations for relevant documentaries, novels, podcasts and movies will also be provided.
How will it be delivered and assessed?
Structure of the course
The AQA GCE (A-Level) History course comprises of three components. Components 1 and 2 make up 80% of the overall course and are assessed by written examination at the end of the course. Component 3 makes up the final 20% of a student’s overall mark and is a historical investigation (coursework) where a student can choose from a range of questions that cover a period of at least 100 years.
Entry requirements
Students must achieve a grade 6 or higher at GCSE in History.
Your next steps...
What happens when you finish?
Students could take this course with other advanced level courses or equivalent to prepare for Higher Education in History or related subjects such as English, American Studies, Politics, Archaeology or more general courses.
Students who specialise in History can go on to become historical researchers, work in heritage organisations or become teachers. But history also supports other career paths, like journalism, politics, law, social work and public services.
The course will also help you develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for.
History Degree
Law
Police
Journalism
Politics
Teaching
For more courses like this, check our courses page.
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