Level 3 AS/A Level History OCR

Level 3 : AS/A Level History (OCR)

Who is the course for?
Students wishing to study Modern History at A level. GCSE History is preferred, but not essential. Students who do not have History at GCSE grade C or above must have English and Maths GCSE at grade C or above.

Content outline
AS History 1850 - 1975

There are two units. The first unit covers topics such as Britain's role in major crises such as the Crimea and the Balkans; the growth of the British Empire and the problems it created in South Africa, Egypt, and Afghanistan; and problems with Germany and the causes of the First World War. The second unit covers topics such as the emergence of the Cold War after 1945, the nuclear arms race, Korea, America's involvement in the Vietnam War, and the reasons for America's defeat in Vietnam.

A2 History 1855 - 1964

There are two units: one is concerned with Russian History from 1855 to 1964, and includes topics such as the decline of Tsarism, the Russian Revolutions of 1917, and Stalin's dictatorship. The second unit is concerned with German history 1933 - 1945, and includes topics such as Nazi terror and propaganda, social policy, and the impact of the war on the Nazi regime.

Method of assessment
AS - two written exams: one involving source-based questions, the other involving essay questions.

A2 - one exam on Russian history, involving essay questions, worth 60%, and coursework on German history, worth 40%.