A Level
History
Entry Requirements
GCSE History Grade 6 or higher
Exam Board: OCR
Why Study History?
Students that study history will develop the ability to interpret a range of historical sources, access information to make informed judgements, argue and debate controversial issues and write formal essays supported by relevant historical evidence. You will be involved in debates and discussions that will often be informed by the independent completion of background reading; an ability to work both independently and collaboratively in order to undertake historical enquiries is essential. We conduct university visits and are given access to their libraries for the coursework units and we take students on conferences from leading academics through the A-Level Conference Company. History complements a multitude of other subjects due to its use of contemporary and source information to develop effective research skills, as well as all humanities subjects such as RE, Sociology, Psychology, English, Geography, Politics and more. History is one of the most highly respected academic subjects for students to choose when considering their university choices. Students choosing to continue their historical studies at undergraduate level benefit from a strong departmental track-record of entry to top universities; for instance, students have gained places to read History at institutions such as Cambridge, King’s College London, York, Exeter and beyond in recent years.
What Topics Will I Study?
Unit 1: British Period Study
OCR Y107: England 1547-1603, The Later Tudors: 25%
Unit 2: Non-British Period Study
OCR Y219: Russia 1894-1941: 15%
Unit 3: Thematic Study & Historical Interpretation
OCR Y321: The Middle East 1908-2011: Ottomans to Arab Spring: 40%
Unit 4: Topic Based Essay
OCR Y100: Learners will complete a 3000–4000 word essay on a topic of their choice, which may arise out of content studied elsewhere in the course. This is an internally assessed unit. Students may choose a topic that it either a part of a unit they have already studied OR they may choose an independent topic: 20%
How Will I Be Assessed?
Units 1–3 will be assessed by examination (in the summer of Year 13)
Unit 4 will be assessed by coursework.
What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?
History is a highly respected subject and is excellent preparation for a range of university degrees. Scholars that study History may go on to study History, Law, Sociology, the Social Sciences, Media, Politics, Philosophy, Economics, American Studies, Middle Eastern Studies and even the Sciences. Due to its multidisciplinary nature, History equips its students with key academic and life skills making them attractive candidates at undergraduate level and beyond.
History opens up a very broad range of career opportunities. These include law, the media, journalism, detective work, banking, marketing, advertising, politics, working on television, research jobs, academic careers in History, teaching and much more. Many people that study History develop successful careers in Law, Journalism, the Media, Politics, set up their own businesses, economics, international development and charity work, humanitarian groups and activist groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
Other Opportunities Available Whilst Studying This Course
RR6 involves its students in many trips and visits. These include A-Level students’ conferences run by professional and academic historians. We also support our students’ independent research of their coursework by arranging trips to undergraduate libraries. We have well-established links with a range of universities.
Subjects which combine well with this course include:
Recent RR6 Alumni in this subject include:
Class of 2022 examples:
Royal Holloway, University of London studying History, Politics and International Relations
Queen Mary University London studying History with a year abroad
Kings College London studying History and International relations
University of Birmingham studying History and Politics
University of Leeds studying Ancient History and History
University of Sheffield studying History
University of Sheffield studying History and Modern Language & Cultures
University of Southampton studying History with a year abroad
Students studying Law at a variety of universities including: Swansea University, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, UCL, SOAS University of London, Newcastle University
SOAS University of London studying Global Development
University of Portsmouth studying Criminology and Criminal Justice
Loughborough University studying Psychology with Criminology
Royal Holloway, University of London studying Criminology and Psychology
Royal Holloway University of London studying Law with Criminology with a year in Industry
City University of London and University of Surrey studying Mechanical Engineering
SOAS University Of London studying Business Management , Economics and Law
University of Brighton studying Sport Management
University of Salford studying Real Estate Development and Management
Queen Mary University London studying Mathematics with finance and accounting
University of Portsmouth studying Film Production
Previous Alumni have gone on to, for example :
Oxford University studying History and English
Cambridge University studying History and Politics
Cambridge University studying Computer Science
Oxford University studying English Language and Literature
Durham University studying Ancient, Medieval and Modern History
SOAS University London studying Politics and Arabic
Birmingham University studying History and Political Science
University of Bristol, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of Birmingham, University of Sussex, University of East Anglia studying History
Royal Holloway University studying Law with International Relations
King's College London studying War Studies and History
University of Bristol studying Politics and International Relations
Birmingham University studying Political Science and International Relations
Sheffield University, Birmingham University, Warwick University studying History
Law with Politics at the University of Liverpool
Universite Paris 1 Patheon-Sorbonne studying English and French Law
Sheffield University studying History and Philosophy
Exeter University studying History (with study abroad)
Loughborough University studying Criminology and Sociology
University of Brighton studying Psychology
University of Manchester studying Philosophy
University of Sussex studying Anthropology
St Mary's University studying Primary Education