History OCR A Level

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 23rd March 2026

Entry Requirements: an overall GCSE points score of at least 50 (including grade 4 or higher in both Mathematics and English Language) is required to enrol. You also need to qualify for each of the subjects (minimum 3) you wish to take - a GCSE grade 6 or higher (7 or higher for Mathematics and Music) is required. See our prospectus for full details.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

What use is History? A lot of use. You have a trained mind. The capacity to abstract information rapidly and the ability to communicate in a clear and analytical way. Well, we would say that because we believe History will aid your academic development. It is a fascinating subject and perhaps and it has been identified a very useful A level and degree course.

The general thrust of our programme is to move away from traditional, elitist histories and to explore history from the perspective of the marginalised and oppressed. With that in mind we explore two great revolutions, one bourgeois and the other proletarian, one born in Britain and the other Russia. At A level we have a broader study of the US in the 20th century through which we analyse its development in terms of women, labour and ethnic minority rights. Perhaps the most exciting element of the new course is the coursework component. Students will effectively be able to study any history that engages them, it could be Mexican political history in the early 20th century or a study of guild socialism in Iceland over a millennium ago. We are one of only 20 schools nationally that uses JSTOR (online academic journals) and this will provide a massive advantage to our historians on this particular element.

In Year 12 you will study two units as below:

Y108 Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603-1660

• James I and Parliament
• James I and religion
• Charles I 1625-1640
• Charles I and the victory of Parliament 1640-1646

Y249 Russia 1894-1941

• The rule of Tsar Nicholas II
• The 1917 Revolutions
• The Civil War and Lenin
• The rule of Stalin

In Year 13 you will study two units as below:

Y319 Civil Rights in the USA 1865-1992

• African Americans
• Trade Union and Labour Rights
• Native American Indians
• Women
• Civil Rights in the ‘Gilded age’ c.1875-c.1895
• The New Deal and Civil Rights
• Malcolm X and Black Power

Y100 Coursework

Students will be required to complete a 4000 word essay. They will have a free choice on subject matter, subject to approval, with the standard option being to pursue an aspect of the Russia course in greater depth.

Grade 6 in GCSE History is required.

Please note that applicants must also meet our overall entry requirements of scoring at least a total of 50 points (simply add up all your GCSE grades) and achieving a Grade 4 or higher in both English Language and Mathematics.