How is the course taught?

We are looking forward to meeting you all in September, and our History Courses are open to those of you who have studied GCSE History, and to those of you who have not, so long as you have an English qualification on or above a grade 4! Read the information on this page to understand how we run such a successful operation...

Students will have 5 hours of History lessons per week, and should aim to complete 5 hours of self study - by reading around the subject, completing guided independent learning, watching documentaries or YouTube videos, listening to Podcasts and anything else you like.

Some classes will have one teacher for all of their lessons but some teaching sets are split between two teachers. One teacher will see the group for 3.5 hours per week and the other teacher will see the group for one 1.5 hour lesson per week.

There are three external examinations taken at the end of the course in the second year. A coursework assignment is also completed in the second year which makes up 20% of the A level.

History is taught in a variety of ways at QE. Activities include class debates, studying sources, film and video clips, use of IT, essay writing, note taking, reading and research. One lesson per week will be devoted to skills and assessment. We have also organised visits to historical sites in Britain and Europe, attended lectures and master classes at local universities and each year we run a History Christmas Quiz. There is also a monthly History Club which introduces students to periods of History not studied in class.

Students thinking of studying History should have an enquiring mind, an interest in research and reading and an ability to write clearly and logically. They should also have enthusiasm and a willingness to voice opinions and exercise judgement.

A student should meet the general college entry requirement for advanced level study (refer to current prospectus). Grade 4 or above in GCSE English and a grade 4 or above in GCSE History (if you are already studying the subject) are required for students taking advanced level History. You can still do History at the College even if you have not studied GCSE History before.

In the 2024-2025 Academic year there are:

267 History Students

52 First Year Tudor Students and 90 Modern

51 Second Year Tudor Students and 75 Modern

The average class size in the first year is 22

The average class size in the second year is 19

There are 7 first year History classes and 7 second year History classes