Why study A level history?
History enables you to develop key skills such as analysis and evaluation of historical sources, an awareness of different interpretations, presentation skills and essay writing skills in which you can effectively deliver a supported argument. History allows you the opportunity to access a broad range of degree subjects and careers, and employers regard it as a strong academic subject.
Level: A level
Board: AQA
Head of department:
Mrs R Clifton
Entry requirement: Grade 6 GCSE history; five grade 5s at GCSE including English and
maths
How is A level history delivered and assessed?
| Year | Unit | Content | Assessment |
| 12 | Component 1: Breadth study | Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855-1964 | |
| Component 2: Depth study | The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 | ||
| Historical methods and source evaluation | Source analysis, interpretations, extended writing skills | ||
| 13 | Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations (40%) | Two essays plus one interpretation question based on component 1 | 2-hours and 30-minute written exam |
| Paper 2: Depth study with source analysis (40%) | One source-based question plus two essays based on component 2 | 2-hours and 30-minute written exam | |
| Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) Independent historical investigation (20%) | The witch-craze in Early Modern Europe | 3,000–3,500 word essay internally marked, externally assessed |
Assessment notes:
- NEA encourages independence and historical inquiry on a topic spanning at least 100 years
-
AQA allows flexibility in combining British and non-British topics
