Component 1: Paper 1 -2 Hour 15 exam 30% of total A Level

Component 2: Paper 2 - 1 hour 30 min exam 20% of total A level

Component 3: Paper 3 - 2 hour 15 min exam 30% of total A Level

Component 4: Historical Enquiry (Coursework)20% of A Level marks

Component 1

(30%) Britain Transformed 1918-97 comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the extent to which Britain was transformed politically, socially, economically and culturally in the years 1918–79. They will consider responses to the challenges of war, fluctuations in the economy, technological advancement and the desire for greater social equality. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale and so the content is presented as themes spanning a significant duration: 1918–79. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad question, which is contextualised by, and runs on from, the themes: what impact Thatcher’s governments had on Britain, 1979–97.

Component 2

(20%) USA, 1955–92: conformity and challenge comprises a study in depth of the USA in the years 1955–92, from post-1945 affluence, through racial and political protests in the 1960s, to the rise of right-wing groups in the 1980s and the development of bitter divisions between Democrats and Republicans. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges posed to the American political system by popular protests and different styles of leadership, and the effects on society of widespread economic, social and cultural change.

Component 3

(30%) Britain – losing and gaining and empire 1763-1914 comprises two parts: the Aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes.                                                                            

Component 4

(20%) Students complete a Coursework task which is a guided essay topic relating to interpretations in history.

Together, these components complement each other by providing students with a modern and international view of history which builds on GCSE learning and is relevant to events today. These topics cover a range of political, social and economic themes over a range of historical periods. These components also provide historical diversity including themes such as national independence and the struggles for Civil Rights as well as gender and sexual equality.

Careers in law, journalism, politics, global banking or business or media. History has versatile skills and knowledge which are highly desirable in any profession.

This subject goes very well with Politics, Economics, Law, Philosophy, English literature, Modern Languages, Sociology and Geography. However, History fits very well with any combination of subjects.