Exam board: OCR
What is History?
Being a historian at A level is like being a detective; you study the available evidence and try to understand the reasons behind an event and how it occurred. So, History is not only a record of the past but as an academic subject it is analysing evidence from different periods and trying to filter through different interpretations of events. You will gain a number of key skills that are fully transferable including:
A desire to explore how historical events have an influence on the modern day
The ability to question historical events and interpretations to form a judgement
To enhance the skills of structured analysis and arguments in essay writing
The capability to research material independently
Why study History?
History is the fascinating study of past events, cultures and societies. Studying History helps you understand the present and explain why events in the past happened as they did. It will also develop important analytical skills, encouraging you to have an enquiring mind and making you think critically about the world around you. It also teaches you to construct coherent arguments and develop clear communication skills. A level History is highly regarded by universities and can lead to many careers including teaching, law and banking.
Is History right for you?
You need to be passionate about the subject, willing to discuss, debate and argue about many of the events and individuals we will be looking at. Extended note taking and essay writing skills are required and due to substantial course content you will be expected to show independence through additional research, arriving at lessons prepared. For unit 4 it will be a requirement that you will do the research for your topic independently and although you will be provided the skills to develop your coursework piece you will need to manage your time effectively outside of the lesson to meet deadlines regarding this.
What will you study?
- England 1485 to 1558: the early Tudors
Unit 1. 25 per cent of the final grade, exam based - Russia 1894 to 1941, or democracy and dictatorships in Germany 1919 to 1963
Unit 2. Your choice at enrolment. 10 per cent of the final grade, exam based - Civil rights in the USA 1865 to 1992
Unit 3. 40 per cent of the final grade, exam based - Historical enquiry coursework
Unit 4. A 4,000 to 6,000 word research piece on a question submitted to the OCR exam board, 20 per cent of the final grade. Begun in Year 1, continued through the summer and into Year 2, with final submission in December
What happens outside lessons?
Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. We offer a wide range of optional trips and experiences to bring history to life, including visits to the British Museum, the Tower of London, Rievaulx Abbey and Teesside Archives. You may also have the chance to explore behind the scenes at the English Heritage archaeological store or take part in local projects such as the Stockton to Darlington Railway and Guisborough De Brus heritage work. Students can also work with our onsite archive, using original sources to create projects such as a pop-up exhibition on the college’s history or the redesign of the display area in reception . We regularly welcome guest speakers, including lecturers from Teesside University and historians such as Lucy Adlington, author of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz. There is also the opportunity to apply for the Holocaust Education Trust’s “Lessons from Auschwitz” programme. These experiences are designed not only to deepen your understanding of the past, but also to help you build valuable skills, explore career pathways and strengthen university and job applications
“I’ve really enjoyed it, especially the Civil Rights course and learning about how people had to fight to achieve what we see these days as something we’ve always had. If you want to learn about what shaped the world and the fights it took to make it happen, this course is for you.”
Niamh, Year 2
Where can History take you?
History teaches important skills such as clear expression and analysing evidence. These skills are useful in a wide range of careers, such as the police, law, politics, social work, teaching, publishing, banking and all kinds of business and management based careers. Many of our students move on to higher education and study history at an advanced level.
Some of the students who studied this course at Prior Pursglove College progressed on to:
Birmingham University, American and Canadian studies and English literature with a year abroad
Hull University, geography and history / primary teaching
Newcastle University College, acting and performance practice
Cambridge, law
Oxford, English literature
Swansea Met University, classical studies and ancient history
Teesside University, history / law
University of Cumbria, primary education with QTS
University of Westminster, international marketing
What subjects go well with History?
History works particularly well alongside subjects such as philosophy and ethics, classics, sociology, law, politics and English literature, where you’ll find strong links in analysis, argument and essay writing. These combinations help you develop a broader understanding of people, ideas and societies, while building the critical thinking and communication skills valued by universities and employers alike.
What are the entry requirements?
- General requirements: Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
- Subject specific: Grade 5 in GCSE English. There is no requirement to have taken GCSE history.