AS and A Level History

Board:

Edexcel

Course code:

AS Level: 8HI01   A2 Level: 9HI01

Duration:

2 years (full A2 level) or 1 year (AS level)

Aims of the course:

Students are encouraged to:

  • develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and an understanding of its intrinsic value and significance
  • acquire an understanding of different identities within society and an appreciation of social, cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity
  • improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds
  • develop the ability to ask relevant and significant questions about the past and to research them
  • understand that history is concerned with judgements based on available evidence and that historical judgements may be provisional
  • develop their use and understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills
  • make links and draw comparisons within and/or across different periods and aspects of the past
  • organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways, arguing a case and reaching substantiated judgements.

Topics covered:

AS level

Unit 1: The Expansion and Challenge of Nationalism (a) The Collapse of the Liberal State and the Triumph of Fascism in Italy 1896-1943 (b) From Second Reich to Third Reich Germany 1918-1945.

Unit 2: Britain, c1860-1930: The Changing Position of Women and the Suffrage Question.

A2 level

Unit 3: Revolution, Republic and Restoration: England, 1629-1667

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1830-1965

Assessed:

AS
Written examination externally assessed.

A2
Written examination externally assessed and coursework internally assessed.

Assessment details:

AS

Unit 1: Exam: 1 hour 20 minutes. Two essay questions

25%

Unit 2: Exam: 1 hour 20 minutes. Two source-based questions

25%

A2

Unit 3: Exam - 2 hours. One essay question and one source-based question

30%

Unit 4: Coursework in the form of two extended essays

20%

Leads to:

History is not only interesting in itself but it also equips students with a multitude of skills highly valued by employers and universities.  The ability to interpret human motivation; to research, analyse and evaluate information; to understand and challenge ideas; to empathise with others and make decisions based on evidence are taught and practised through four diverse and challenging units of study.  Students who study History at A level gain access to a wide variety of subjects at university such as Law, Journalism, Media Studies, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Archaeology, International Relations and Politics.