Course information
History
Mander Portman Woodward - Cambridgeshire
01223350158
3-4 Brookside, Cambridge, CB2 1JE
Course summary

History is fundamentally the study of the past. It examines past individuals, societies, cities and other structures, as well as the causes that shaped their development and demise. The A Level History course focuses on nineteenth and twentieth-century Europe. The themes of ideology and imperialism are considered during this tumultuous period. Focus will also be given to social and cultural aspects, so that students acquire a comprehensive understanding of these pivotal years. The course will also concentrate on source-evaluation and the importance of presenting clear and defined arguments in a coherent and concise fashion. The study of these topics will allow students to understand Mark Twain’s famous comment that “History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.” History allows us to understand the context in which events happened, and – through knowledge of the historiography of the era – to analyse how interpretations have been subsequently altered or validated.

Entry requirements

A GCSE in History is not a prerequisite. You will need to have obtained at least 5 GCSEs at 9-4 including a grade 6 in English Language. You will need the ability to read substantial quantities of text with a critical eye and to write clearly and concisely. It is important to bear in mind that at this level it is not a matter of retaining and deploying a lot of information but rather a matter of drawing upon it selectively to construct a persuasive argument.

How you'll be assessed

For the A level in History, students must take three components: two examinations (Components 1 and 2) of 2 hours 30 minutes and worth 40% of the overall A level each; and an independently researched and written 3500 to 4500-word ‘Historical Investigation’, which is worth 20% of the overall A level. In exam component 1 (the ‘Breadth Study’), students must answer a compulsory question linked to historical interpretations In Section A and two of three essay questions in Section B. In exam component 2 (the ‘Depth Study’), students must answer a compulsory question linked to primary or contemporary sources.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionEast of England
Local AuthorityCambridgeshire
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI Report
Boarding FeeUnknown
Sixth Form Fee£34,233
Address3-4 Brookside, Cambridge, CB2 1JE