History

Examination Board: OCR

Why study History?

History is an exciting, challenging and extremely rewarding subject at A-level. It is a demanding A-level, but is consequently highly regarded by university admissions tutors who value it for its rigour and transferable skills of analysis and communication. Regardless of which subject you want to study at university, History A-level is highly valued for its sound academic training. Studying History helps you to develop your analytical and evaluative skills and to construct a cogent, persuasive argument. It is also immensely interesting and great fun! Our course covers a range of periods and countries, including Tudor England, America in the revolutionary period, and late tsarist and communist Russia. The units are varied, but also complement each other, giving you a sound understanding of the early and late modern world. Your knowledge and understanding will be enhanced lectures given by academics and published historians, as well as visits to historical events and sites.

Course content  

Paper 1: British period study and enquiry - England 1485–1558, the Early Tudors (Enquiry topic: Mid Tudor Crises 1547–1558)

You will study the Tudors and explore the following questions: How successful were they? Why were there so many changes to the Church and to religion in this period, and what impact did these changes have? How serious was the opposition the Tudors faced? How did England’s relations with foreign powers change? What were the personal strengths and characteristics of each Tudor monarch and why did this matter?  

Paper 2: Non-British period study: The American Revolution, 1740-1796 

You will study the American Revolution and explore the following questions: How strong was British hegemony in North America before the revolution? What were the causes of the American Revolution? What were the events of the American Revolution/War of Independence? How successful was the early republic?

Paper 3: Thematic study and historical interpretations: Russia and its Rulers, 1855-1964 

You will study Russia’s tsarist and communist rulers and explore the following questions: How did the nature of government change? What was the impact of dictatorial regimes on the economy and society of the Russian Empire and the USSR? What was the impact of war and revolution on the development of the Russian Empire and the USSR? What was the impact of dictatorial regimes on different nationalities and satellite states?

Paper 4: Topic-based essay (coursework)  

You will complete a 3,000–4,000-word essay. Most pupils will be supported to complete the essay on 20th Century Germany, although it can also arise out of content studied elsewhere in the course, or from a pupil’s personal interest. If the title is based around a lively historical debate, it’s suitable! The coursework is assessed by the teacher and moderated by the examination board.  

Assessment  

Paper 1 One and a half hours paper (25% of A-level)  

Paper 2 One hour paper (15% of A-level) 

Paper 3 Two and a half hours paper (40% of A-level)  

Paper 4 A 3,000–4,000 word coursework essay (20% of A-level)