What is A Level History?: Overview for Students

If you're considering A Level History, you're in for an exciting and intellectually rewarding journey. This subject explores key historical events, ideas, and individuals that shaped the world. 

A Level History is a demanding subject, but with the right approach, you can succeed and achieve the top grades. 

This article will explain exactly what A Level History involves, how it is assessed, and how you can succeed in this fascinating subject. 

What is A Level History?: Quick Summary

A Level History is a qualification typically taken by students aged 16-18. The subject challenges students to explore significant historical periods, potentially from the Crusades to the Cold War and beyond. 

Students will study key events, figures, and movements, learning to analyse sources and debate historical interpretations.

This qualification develops critical thinking, research, and essay writing skills, making it a great choice for those interested in understanding the past.

Why Study History at A Level?

A Level History is an exceptional choice for students who have a passion for understanding the past and the world around them. The course encourages you to think critically, evaluate different viewpoints, and develop strong arguments based on evidence. 

You’ll explore major events and figures while gaining essential skills like research, analysis, and debate. These skills are valuable in many areas of life and work, including law, politics, education, and journalism.

Studying A Level History allows you to act like a historian. Judging sources, weighing different interpretations, and understanding the complexities of historical events are key skills in this course. This deeper understanding is both interesting and will help you develop valuable skills that will benefit you in further education and future careers.

What Does A Level History Cover?

A Level History is divided into a combination of in-depth studies of specific topics and broader themes that span longer periods of history.

Some typical topics covered across different exam boards include:

• The First World War and its aftermath
  

• Tsarist and Communist Russia
  

• The Tudors
  

• Civil Rights Movements in the USA
  

• The French Revolution
  

• War of the Roses

Each exam board, such as AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, offers its own specific topics, but they all share a focus on providing students with a broad understanding of global and national history. 

For more detailed information on individual topics, refer to our A Level History Topics page.

How is A Level History Assessed?

Assessment for A Level History is a combination of written exams and coursework.

Written exams

• Usually, 80% of the final grade.

• Essay-based questions that test your knowledge, analysis, and ability to construct well-argued responses.

• Source analysis, where you will evaluate historical sources and use them to support your arguments.

Coursework

• Around 20% of the final grade.

• Independent research project on a historical topic of your choice

• Known as:

  • NEA for AQA

  • Coursework for Edexcel

  • Topic-based essay for OCR

• The coursework allows you to explore a historical question in depth, applying historical methods to assess sources and build your argument.

What Are the Different Assessment Objectives?

AQA:

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding of historical events and periods, including key terms, concepts, and issues.

• AO2: Application of knowledge to historical situations, including the analysis of sources and different interpretations.

• AO3: Analysis and evaluation of historical sources, and making well-reasoned judgments based on evidence.

Edexcel:

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.

• AO2: Use a range of source material to comprehend, interpret, and cross-reference sources.

• AO3: Explain, analyse, and make judgments about historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

OCR:

• AO1: Understand historical knowledge and make judgements.

• AO2: Analyse and evaluate primary sources and historical interpretations.

• AO3: Analyse and evaluate different ways in which aspects of the past have been interpreted.

What Skills Will Students Learn?

Historical Analysis and Evaluation

• You will learn how to analyse historical events and sources critically, considering various perspectives and their implications.

Research Skills

• Conduct independent research for coursework and assignments, learning to gather evidence, assess its credibility, and make balanced conclusions.

Essay Writing

• A Level History requires students to write structured, argument-driven essays, developing skills in presenting coherent and persuasive arguments based on evidence.

Source Evaluation

• Learn how to evaluate primary and secondary sources, determining their reliability, bias, and usefulness for supporting historical arguments.

Critical Thinking

• A Level History challenges you to question historical narratives, recognise complexity, and assess the validity of various historical interpretations.

A Level History Exam Boards

The three major exam boards for A Level History are:

• AQA: Offers a wide range of historical topics, including The Tudors, The Cold War, and The First World War.
  

• Edexcel: Focuses on in-depth studies like Germany 1918–1945, and offers coursework as an option.
  

• OCR: Includes topics like The Russian Revolution and The British Empire, and allows a topic-based essay for coursework.

Each board has slightly different content, but they all share a focus on historical knowledge, analysis, and interpretation.

Top Tips for Success

Stay organised

• Create a detailed revision timetable, breaking down topics into manageable chunks. 

• Stay on top of deadlines for coursework to avoid last-minute stress.

Practice essay writing

• Write timed essays regularly to improve your structure and arguments. 

• Familiarity with the exam format will help you manage time effectively during the exam.

Focus on sources

• Spend time practising source analysis and evaluation. 

• Use past papers and online resources to develop these critical skills.

Learn more tips for success in our How to Revise for A Level History: Tactics That Work article.

Frequently Asked Questions about A Level History

Is A Level History hard?

Yes, A Level History is challenging due to the depth of content and the complexity of the skills required, such as essay writing and source analysis. In 2024, only 5.7% of A Level History students achieved the top grade, an increase from 5.5% in 2023. 

However, with consistent effort and good time management, A Level History is manageable and rewarding.

Is A Level History easy to pass?

In 2024, 98% of A Level History students achieved a grade E or above. To achieve this, you need to have focused revision, effective time management, and a strong understanding of key historical topics. Many students pass with high marks by preparing well and practising exam-style questions.

What careers can A Level History lead to?

A Level History can lead to careers in law, journalism, education, politics, research, and public policy. It provides transferable skills in critical thinking, research, and communication, making it a valuable subject for many fields.

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References

OCR A Level History A (H505) Specification
Edexcel GCSE and GCE 2014

History A-level 7042 Specification

A level outcomes in England