A / AS Level History
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PDF version- Course Description
- Entry Requirements
- Progression & Assessment
- Duration & Location
- Fees
- Further Information
Course Description
What is history? It sounds such a simple question doesn’t it? Oscar Wilde said of the study of history “Anybody can make history. Only a great man can write it.” But it can cause a lot of disagreement.
Napoleon called it ‘a myth’ and Henry Ford called it ‘bunk’! Other people think it is much more important, believing, like the American historian David McCullough, that “History is who we are and why we are the way we are.”
Whatever they think about the usefulness of history most people will, however, agree that history is the study of the past. In fact, historians are a bit like detectives – using evidence to find out what happened and why. This is not an easy job. You must be able to recognise evidence, decide how useful it is and come to conclusions based on what you have found out.
Where can the subject lead me?
For some careers, particularly Law, History is a helpful background and for all occupations, because History is founded on a study of people, it provides a background to our Western cultural tradition and a surer appreciation of the present.
History is a very popular and highly regarded subject, it goes well with other arts and social science subjects like English, Geography and Sociology. History is also one of the most popular choices of scientists looking to add a little breadth to their A level programme. With a qualification in History, you can work in a great variety of jobs such as law, business and administration, the police service, the armed forces, journalism and the media as well as teaching or working in the cultural sector.
Programme Content
AS (Year 1)
Unit F961 Option B – British and World History
Domestic Issues 1918-51 Dictatorship and Democracy in Germany 1933-63 A
Advanced Level (Year 2)
Unit F965 Historical Interpretation and Investigations
Russian Revolution 1894 - 1924
Unit F966 Historical Themes
Civil Rights in the USA – 1865-1992
Teaching and Learning Styles
Learning will be achieved by note taking, reading and research from primary and secondary sources, videos, Internet and CDROM. Teaching styles vary from formal lectures to discussions and debates. A key element of this course is the opportunity to visit major historical sites.
Entry Requirements
Students wishing to study AS level History must have 5 GCSEs at grade C and above including C in English Language and B in English Literature. AS level at grade D necessary to progress to A level. The entry requirement can be waived for mature students.
Progression & Assessment
Achievement, Assessment and Examinations Modules can be taken in January and June and can be re-sat once. There is an examination paper for each module.
| Examination Board | OCR HISTORY A |
| Programme Co-ordinator | Jan Relf |
| Teaching Staff | Jan Relf/Robin Sisson |
Successful completion of this programme, in combination with other suitable qualifications, will allow entry into a wide range of Higher Education programmes or employment.
Duration & Location
One year for AS level, a further year for A2.
AS Level – 4.5 hours per week over 1 year
A Level – 4.5 hours per week over 1 year
Starts September each year
Fees
If you are under 19 on 31 August when your programme begins and are full-time, you will be entitled to free tuition and no examination fees wherever you live, provided you are a European Community National. Mature students may also qualify for free tuition and no examination fees. Please ask our Guidance Services for details.
Further Information
Jan Relf
School of Access and Advanced Education
For further details please contact the Information Office on 01522 876274
