History A Level OCR

Applications Open – 3rd November 2025

Applications Close – 31st July 2026

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The sixth form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Please apply via Kent Choices.

View our courses here

A Level History will allow you to develop and practice the skills of an historian, focusing on ancient and contemporary issues. You will be encouraged to make links and explore issues between the different aspects of the course.

First year units:

Stuarts and English Civil War 1603 – 1660

This unit is concerned with the problems faced by James I and Charles I during their reign and how they dealt with those challenges. This unit also covers the course of the English Civil War and the following Interregnum of Parliament and Oliver Cromwell. You will use evaluation and analytical skills on a range of historical sources to support your investigations.

Dictatorship and Democracy in Germany 1918–63

This unit is concerned with the establishment and experience of democracy and dictatorship in Germany, and the experience of democracy in Germany after the Second World War. You will consider the nature of, and reasons for, change, divergence and continuity in political, economic and social structures in Germany during the period.

Second year units:

Unit F965: Historical Interpretations and Investigations Vietnam 1945 – 1975

Focus: the reasons for America’s involvement in Vietnam and the ensuing conflict. An investigation of USA involvement in the Cold War in Asia.

Unit F966 Option A: Civil Rights

Focus: the nature and development of civil rights in America during this period.

Assessment Objectives:

There are two assessment objectives, AO1 and AO2. You are expected to demonstrate the following (in the context of the content described):

AO1 Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding:

AO1a: recall, select and deploy historical knowledge appropriately, and communicate knowledge and understanding of history in a clear and effective manner.

AO1b: demonstrate your understanding of the past though explanation, analysis and arriving at substantiated judgements of:

· key concepts such as causation, consequence, continuity, change and significance within an historical context

· the relationships between key features and characteristics of the periods studied

AO2 Analysis, Evaluation and Application:

AO2a: as part of an historical enquiry, analyse and evaluate a range of appropriate source material with discrimination;

AO2b: analyse and evaluate, in relation to the historical context, how aspects of the past have been interpreted and represented in different ways.

Exams take place in June:

Unit Y108: one hour 30 minutes written paper worth 50 marks

Unit Y221: one hour written paper worth 30 marks

Unit Y319: two hour 30 minutes written paper worth 80 marks

Unit Y100: is a coursework unit, with one 4,000-word piece – focusing on interpretations and investigations worth 80 marks

We would recommend a grade 6 at GCSE in history and a grade 6 at GCSE in English Language.

This A Level course will give you a good foundation for the study of history or related courses in further and higher education. At the same time, it also offers a worthwhile course of study for those who do not wish to progress further in the subject. The various skills required by this course also provide you with opportunities for progression directly into employment.