A Level History

Course Code: Q100088

Key Information

  • Course type:

    A Levels

  • Campus:

    Sixth Form Campus

  • Next Start Date:

    07 Sept 2026

  • Duration:

    2 years

  • Attendance:

    Full-time

  • Fees:

    Free

British World War 1 soldiers in a front Line trench. 1915-18

Our A Level History programme offers students the opportunity to explore the past through two carefully designed pathways. Whether you're fascinated by early modern Europe or the political ideologies of the 20th century, there's a route to suit your interests and ambitions. History is a facilitating subject, meaning it is highly valued by the top universities in the country.

Pathway 1: Power, Belief and Revolution (OCR specification)

This pathway explores major shifts in authority, belief systems and popular culture from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Students will examine the consolidation of Tudor power and the English Reformation under Henry VII, Henry VIII and Edward VI; the causes and consequences of the French Revolution and Naploeon's impact on Europe; and the social, religious and political forces behind the witchcraze in early modern Europe and North America.

Pathway 2: Conflict, Ideology and the Modern World (Edexcel specification)

Focusing on the 20th century, this pathway investigates the rise and fall of political ideologies and the impact of warfare. Students will study Germany's transformation from the Weimar Republic through Nazism and reunification; the development of fascism in Italy and Mussolini's regime; and how Britain's military engagements from the Napoleonic Wars to World War One shaped national identity and society.

This A Level provides students with a greater knowledge of history and a more sophisticated understanding of current national and international affairs. The course works well with politics and law, in addition to a whole range of other A Level subjects.

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Did you know?

This course can be combined with additional A Levels or a Sixth Form vocational course.

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including a grade 5 or above in English language and a grade 4 or above in history.

You will have a 9.55am start, one lesson in the morning, one in the afternoon and a guaranteed 4:00pm finish. You will also have at least one morning and one afternoon per week free for private study.

The course is assessed through 20% coursework and 80% exams.

School Leavers under the age of 19 do not have to pay fees on any full time courses, though may have to pay for their second year if turning 19 during their studies. If you’re aged 19 or over you might qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It’s easy to apply for and you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000. If you are studying a part-time course and you receive one of the following benefits, or you depend financially on someone who does, you may be entitled to have your tuition fees waived: Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support. You will, however, have to pay any awarding body/assessment fees (unless you are on a first full level 2 course). * If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit or receive other allowances, you may be eligible to claim concessionary rates. If you are entitled to a fee concession you will be asked to provide proof of your entitlement. It is essential that you inform us if your entitlement changes at any time during your course.

History is more than a study of the past - it's the key to understanding the present and shaping the future. Through the investigation of complex events, diverse perspectives and pivotal decisions, students develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and persuasive communication skills. 

These highly transferrable skills are valued across a wide range of university subjects and career paths including history, law, politics, international relations, journalism, sociology, philosophy, archaeology and education. 

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