There are 3 different History A-levels on offer at St Brendan’s, each of which covers a range of historical periods and different countries. Students select one course to follow:
- Early Modern World
- Modern World - Communist States
- Modern World - Democracies in Change
If you are unsure which course to choose, pick the one that interests you the most. You may have the chance to change course before you start with us and in the first few weeks of the term.
In your first year, this course focuses on finding out about the rise of Communism in Russia and China respectively. You will explore many different themes including government, economy and methods of control, as well as impact on society. You will also develop source skills and engage with historical interpretations throughout this course. In both our modern courses, in the second year you will explore what the experience of warfare was like for Britain over a period of 150 years, beginning with the French wars c.1793, also studying the Crimean War, the Second Boer War and the First World War.
Please Note: If you have not studied GCSE History, you will need to have some proven literacy skills in essay-based subjects.
Course content
Edexcel is the exam board for this course. You will sit 3 exams. You will write an NEA of 3,000-4,000 word which is worth 20% of your A Level.
1st Year: Russia & China
Paper 1
Russia,1917–91: From Lenin to Yeltsin
Paper 2
Mao’s China, 1947–76
2nd Year: Russia & Britain
Paper 3
The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918
NEA (Coursework)
Stalin’s Purges
Edexcel is the exam board for this course. You will sit 3 exams. You will write an NEA of 3,000-4,000 word which is worth 20% of your A Level.
1st Year: Russia & China
|
Paper 1 |
Russia,1917–91: From Lenin to Yeltsin |
|
Paper 2 |
Mao’s China, 1947–76 |
2nd Year: Russia & Britain
|
Paper 3 |
The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 |
|
NEA (Coursework) |
Stalin’s Purges |
Enrichment
We run a number of enrichment activities including day visits to course related sites. In the past these have included a trip to Oxford for Early Modern History, Tintern Abbey, and the SS Great Britain. We have also run residential visits to the battlefields of Belgium and to Edinburgh. Our students have also visited university conferences to encourage progression to Higher Education.
We run a number of enrichment activities including day visits to course related sites. In the past these have included a trip to Oxford for Early Modern History, Tintern Abbey, and the SS Great Britain. We have also run residential visits to the battlefields of Belgium and to Edinburgh. Our students have also visited university conferences to encourage progression to Higher Education.
Resources
The department is well-stocked with resources, including exam board textbooks. There is also support for student learning in the Learning Resource Centre, which includes books recommended by our examination board and a range of academic journals.
Charges
There are a number of visits available to students on this course. All visits are optional and may cost around £30 for day visits and £350 for overseas trips. It is recommended that students purchase revision guides.
The department is well-stocked with resources, including exam board textbooks. There is also support for student learning in the Learning Resource Centre, which includes books recommended by our examination board and a range of academic journals.
Charges
There are a number of visits available to students on this course. All visits are optional and may cost around £30 for day visits and £350 for overseas trips. It is recommended that students purchase revision guides.
Methods of teaching and learning
The course is taught by highly qualified members of staff. The mix of individual and group work encourages students to take responsibility and initiative for their own learning. Presentations by staff and students, group assignments and lectures by the St Brendan’s staff and visiting lecturers are incorporated into the learning programme for this course.
The course is taught by highly qualified members of staff. The mix of individual and group work encourages students to take responsibility and initiative for their own learning. Presentations by staff and students, group assignments and lectures by the St Brendan’s staff and visiting lecturers are incorporated into the learning programme for this course.
Key skills
Students will develop their communication skills. They will be encouraged to present and communicate their ideas verbally to small groups and use Information Technology to research and present their ideas. Written communication is integral to History A-level, including the writing of essays and source analysis.
Students will develop their communication skills. They will be encouraged to present and communicate their ideas verbally to small groups and use Information Technology to research and present their ideas. Written communication is integral to History A-level, including the writing of essays and source analysis.
Progression
A-level History encourages effective research skills, the ability to evaluate conflicting evidence and helps students to produce balanced arguments. These attributes are highly sought after in a wide range of occupations and are particularly useful for careers in Law, Media, Politics, Accountancy, and Museum and Heritage work. The History department have built up links with a number of Russell Group Universities through our visiting speakers and our alumni.
A-level History encourages effective research skills, the ability to evaluate conflicting evidence and helps students to produce balanced arguments. These attributes are highly sought after in a wide range of occupations and are particularly useful for careers in Law, Media, Politics, Accountancy, and Museum and Heritage work. The History department have built up links with a number of Russell Group Universities through our visiting speakers and our alumni.
Where can this course lead?
Apply for this course
Find out how to apply for A-level History - Modern World (Communist States).
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