A Level History

Course Outline

History will encourage and develop your interest in and enthusiasm for history, providing you with an understanding of its intrinsic value and significance. You will acquire an understanding of changes in society across through both breadth and depth topics and an appreciation of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity through the study of aspects of British and non-British history.

Studying History at A Level will engage students with a range of interpretations and provide support to approach these with critical analysis. This will build on your understanding of the past and will improve you as an effective and independent learner as well as a critical and reflective thinker.

You will be expected to ask relevant and significant questions about the past and develop your research skills to complete tasks. You will also demonstrate your understanding of the past through explanation and analysis, developing high order skills such as synthesis, change and continuity. History is a subject that brings a great diversity of challenge along with its rich, fascinating content.

Exam board

Edexcel

Head of History

Ms McMahon

Email
McMahonH@cfbs.islington.sch.uk

Entry Requirements

To be considered for this course as part of a full A level programme, you will need an average GCSE point score of 6 (B) including a minimum of grade 6 (B) in History, Maths and English.

Assessment:

80% examination, 20% coursework

Progression:

History is one of the “facilitating subjects” listed by the Russell Group universities as subjects they want students to be taking two or three of at A level. This is because it develops skills that are useful at university, in particular written communication, research, independence and making judgements.

History also develops specific skills that no other subject does, such as causal reasoning to unpick why events occur, and change and continuity to examine how process change over time; both skills which are useful for all careers.

A good grade at A level History will open doors to top universities, in any subject; while a top degree in History will provide an excellent stepping stone to careers in law, journalism, politics, teaching, advertising, accounting, and business.