What's A level History about?
History is the study of the past. It examines the political, economic, social and cultural issues of different era and cultures. At its most ambitious, the subject is the study of everything.
Of course, in A level History you won't be expected to learn everything from the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to the Cold War, but you will cover enough in breadth and depth to develop a good understanding of events in their historical context, and to develop an historian's approach to the past. "Why was a particular course of action followed?" is a fundamental question underlying the study of history, and its primary purpose is not to judge but to comprehend.
From an intellectual standpoint, A level History is about the acquisition of vital learning skills: you need to be able to read and digest large amounts of information and to pick out what is and is not relevant to the question you are dealing with. History will teach you how to analyse, reflect and to argue clearly in class and in writing.
Across all exam boards A level History students study particular events in depth and in broader outline papers: for example the OCR paper on the Early Tudors 1485-1558 also requires the much more focused source-based examination of the 1547-58 Mid Tudor Crisis. Each exam board offers different 'outline' and 'in depth' topics, (see OCR's specification as an example), though your college is likely to have picked the combination of outline and specific topics it will teach you.
The rewards are many! The enjoyment and intellectual stimulation you get when you've securely understood the topic are considerable. This is when arguments can be formed and you can involve yourself in the cut-and-thrust of historical debate. Your ideas will be revived or challenged and you are bound to establish new perspectives.
What sort of work is involved?
- Reading around the topics and researching are key elements of A level History.
- Historians need to be effective at making notes: grouping information according to themes and noting different sorts of evidence (dates, statistics and quotes).
- You will learn to evaluate source-material: understanding a document in relation to who wrote it and when it was composed.
- Writing essays is a major part of any History course. Learning how to assemble information into a thematic and analytical response to the specific question posed. Read The Economist and The Guardian style guide for examples of effective writing.
Your teacher will guide you through the topics and techniques required. You will need to supplement this work through your own reading and note-taking.
A key feature of most A level History courses in the second year is the 3000-4000 word independently researched assignment. This can often be on a topic of your choosing and needs to be based on primary and secondary material. This is excellent preparation for the skills required at university.
What background do I need?
History GCSE, although useful, is not essential for the study of History A Level. It is more important that you have or can develop an analytical and precise writing-style. You will also need to assimilate a great deal of information and to assess what is valid for a particular question. History also works well with almost any combination of other A level subjects.
Where can it lead?
History is a highly respected A level and very popular at degree level. Offers from top universities will regularly be AAA or A*AA. The analytical skills required for History A level also make it a natural foundation for anyone wishing to study Law.
A degree in History also leads to many career options: you don’t just have to become a History teacher (nothing wrong with that, of course!). The Historical Association provides a very useful overview of potential careers.
One year course?
To cover A level History in one year is perfectly manageable. It is hard work, but the skills and content can readily be covered in that time if you are organised and hard-working. History is a subject that requires excellent written skills, and it is the development of your writing skills as much as the content which will determine how well you cope. The one year course is fast-paced, but it is all the more exciting for that!
Assessment
History is mainly examined through written exams at the end of the course. It is essential that you become confident in timed conditions, and a good course will ensure that you get lots of practice in writing under limited time. The majority of boards have a coursework component, but this is usually no more than 20%. CIE is the exception to this; all the exams take the form of written exams. To take OCR as an example, you sit three written exams and submit a project. The written exams cover:
- British period study and enquiry 1 hour 30 minute paper 25% of the total
- Non-British period study 30 marks 1 hour paper 15% of the total
- Thematic study and historical interpretations 2 hour 30 minute paper 40% of total
And you will complete a 3000–4000 word essay on a topic of your choice which counts for 20% of the total
The majority of questions are concerned with why events occur - e.g. "How far do you agree that tensions in the Balkans were the most important reason for the outbreak of war in 1914?" There will also be questions that ask you to analyse a source as a piece of evidence - e.g. "How useful is Source A as evidence as to why Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church?"
This article was written by Robert Heggie Head of History at MPW College London.
