History (Modern)

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above

GCSE English Language at grade 5, or English Language grade 4 plus English Literature grade 5

GCSE History at grade 5 or above (if taken)

GCSE Maths at grade 3 or above

Year 1

You will explore how liberal democracies such as Britain and the USA developed differently, despite shared histories. You will analyse political, social and economic change across the 20th century

Year 2

As part of the modern history pathway, you will also study the experience of warfare in Britain over 150 years, including major conflicts such as:

• The French Wars
• The Crimean War
• The Second Boer War
• The First World War

Skills Developed

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Essay writing and argument development
• Source analysis and evaluation
• Research and interpretation skills
• Verbal communication and presentation

Teaching includes a mix of:

• Individual and group work
• Presentations and discussions
• Lectures from teachers and visiting speakers

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and develop independence.

Assessment includes:

• Three written exams
• Non‑Exam Assessment (NEA) coursework – 3000-4000 word essay

The NEA develops independent research and essay‑writing skills and contributes to the final A Level grade.

• Exam board textbooks
• Learning Resource Centre with recommended books and academic journals
• Access to a range of research materials

Optional trips are available as part of the course:

• Day visits may cost around £30-£50
• Overseas trips may cost around £500 (not guaranteed)

Students are also recommended to purchase revision guides to support their learning.

All visits are optional.

Students must choose one History pathway only:

• Early Modern World
• Modern World – Communist States
• Modern World – Democracies in Change

You cannot study more than one History pathway at the same time.

A Level History supports progression into:

• University courses (e.g. History, Politics, Law, Humanities)
• Apprenticeships
• Careers requiring strong analytical, research and communication skills

Students can take part in a variety of enrichment opportunities, including:

• Day visits to course‑related locations (e.g. Portsmouth and the SS Great Britain)
• Residential visits to locations such as the battlefields of Belgium
• University conferences and visiting speakers to support progression to higher education

These activities enhance understanding and provide real‑world historical context.