AS/A2 History

History

Level: AS and A2

Exam Board: Edexcel

Syllabus No: AS 8264, A2 9264

What will I study?

• AS COURSE UNIT 1: A STUDY IN BREADTH (50% AS mark; 25% A2)
  Students will take one of the following options:
  Russia in Revolution 1881-1924: how a Communist state replaced the hereditary monarchy of the Tsars. Stalins Russia 1924-1953: a detailed examination of the most notorious dictator of the 20th century.
  
• UNIT 2: A STUDY IN DEPTH (50% AS mark; 25% A2)
  The Experience of Warfare in Britain 1854-1929:
  Students study a radical new unit which examines in detail the impact of the Crimean, Boer and First World Wars on British Society. .
  
  
• A2 COURSE UNIT 3: HISTORICAL CONTROVERSY (30% A2 mark)
  Superpower Relations 1944-90. An assessment of how close the world came to nuclear destruction.
  
• UNIT 4: HISTORICAL ENQUIRY(Coursework): Ireland and Britain 1815-1922
  Students research and write two extended essays on the role of organisations like the Home Rule Movement, the achievements of individuals such as Michael Collins or the importance of events like the 1916 Easter Rising.

How is this course assessed?

Written papers are a mixture of essay and source-based questions. The Historical Enquiry should not exceed 4000 words in length and is marked internally. Students can sit AS papers and submit coursework in both January and June. Unit 3 (A2) is only available in June. Students wishing to improve their AS marks re-sit Units 1 or 2 in January to reduce the pressure of examinations in the summer.

What next?

A level History complements most Arts subjects but many Science students take History as a contrast. Combining Arts and Sciences is actually encouraged by universities. A good pass at A level is acceptable for entry into almost all Arts degree courses including Law. Many employers actually prefer the adaptability of History graduates to those with more narrowly-based vocational degrees.