---
title: "History"
url: "https://www.devizesschool.co.uk/courses/history"
school: "Devizes School"
---

Sixth Form Open Evening - Wednesday 11th November 2026 from 5pm to 7pm

# History

  ![Image of History](https://files.schudio.com/devizes-school/images/courses/History.png)

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

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