A Level
Exam Board OCR
Course Code – H505
Lead Teacher – Mr T Strickland
Studying History is a journey of discovery. Students learn to understand the world and at the same time are trained in high level skills that create independent young adults. Universities and employers value these skills. The ability to organise facts and develop arguments, to analyse problems and make reasoned decisions are the skills honed by this well-respected subject.
Specific requirements
Grade 6 in GCSE History and a Grade 5 in English.
What will I study?
Year 12: British study: Britain 1930-97 (Focus on Churchill)
Non-British study: Cold War in Europe 1941 - 1995
Year 13: Thematic study: The Changing Nature of Warfare 1792-1945 Case studies in: French Revolutionary Wars, American Civil War and First World
War. Topic based essay: (Coursework) The Cold War
Assessment Methods
A Level: 3 x exams (1 ½ hrs, 1hr, 2 ½ hrs) + 3,000-4,000 word coursework essay.
History Required Book
My Revision notes OCR AS/A Level History: The Cold War in Europe
Where does it lead?
History can lead to History focused careers such as Archaeologists, Museum Curators and so on. However, being realistic, most students who take History at A Level will not continue with the subject beyond university except for interest and pleasure. This makes the subject no less vital to the futures of young people as the skills developed through the subject are key skills for success in business and life in general.
Famous people such as several recent Prime Ministers and Sacha Baron Cohen have History degrees to thank for their own personal development. History graduates are sought after and successful people.
Wider Reading
History Further Reading
Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts
Forgotten Victory: The First World War Myths and Reality by Gary Sheffield
The Cold War - a very short introduction by Robert McMahon
The Cold War by John Lewis Gaddis
Churchill a life by Martin Gilbert
A history of Modern Britain by Andrew Marr
Podcasts
History Hit (Dan Snow)
The Rest is History
The Old Frontline
