History A Level
Studying A Level History at Long Road will enable you to develop your skills of communication, evaluation, and assessment as you study revolution, the collapse of the monarchy and the establishment of new regimes. We will also support your understanding of different time periods and the impact of political change on societies by giving you a number of opportunities to learn outside the classroom with activities such as guest speakers, trips and student conferences. This course involves extensive reading and writing, and we will support you in developing these skills further in lessons.
All students study England from 1603–1702, considering the causes and events of the English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I in 1649 and assessing how far the monarchy was changed after the Restoration. All students also produce a coursework extended essay on the struggle for black Civil Rights in America, 1860-1965, looking at primary material as well as how historians have viewed this period. Students are expected to work independently on the coursework, showing high levels of self-motivation and organisation.
We give you the opportunity to specialise in either Russia 1917-1953 or Germany 1918-1945. Specialising in Russia will lead you to study the revolutions of 1917, Bolshevik Russia, Stalin’s rule and Russia’s emergence as a superpower following the Second World War. Specialising in Germany involves studying the German revolution of 1918-1919 and the establishment of the Weimar Republic, the Nazis in power and their impact on the German population.
Year 1 Modules
- Students will choose one of the following pathways:
- The Russian Revolution 1917-1929; the fall of the Tsar, Lenin’s Russia, and Stalin’s rise to power
- The Weimar Republic 1918-1933; the fall of the Kaiser, the Golden Twenties and the rise of the Nazis
- Britain 1603-49: the reigns of James I and Charles I, the causes of the Civil War and execution of the King
- The Struggle for Black Civil Rights in America 1860-1965
Year 2 Modules
- Students will continue with their specialist pathway chosen in Year 1:
- Russia: Stalin’s Rule, 1929-1953, Modernisation, the Terror, and Russia in WW2
- Germany: The Nazis in power, 1933–1945, the Terror State, Opposition, Policies towards the Jews and Germany in WW2
- Britain 1649-1702: the rule of Cromwell, the restoration of Charles II and the causes of the Glorious Revolution.
Key Info
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Five GCSEs at Grade 5 including:
- Grade 5 in GCSE English Language
- Grade 5 in GCSE History
- Grade 5 in another Humanities subject or GCSE English Literature
Assessment
- 80% Exam
- 20% Coursework
- Exam Board: AQA
Why choose this course?
This course focusses on times of significant change – on revolution, the collapse of the monarchy, and the establishment of new regimes – and you will enjoy this course if you enjoy studying how leaders, ordinary people, beliefs and conflicts have helped shape the world we live in. You should also enjoy extended reading, essay writing and analysing primary documents and texts by historians.
Our History students have the opportunity to take part in a number of popular ‘extra’ activities. In the past few years, these have included a day of bespoke lectures by academics at the University of East Anglia, trips to the National Civil War Centre in Newark, workshops on extended writing led by fellows from the Royal Literary Fund, workshops on the Holodomor led by members of the Society for the Study of Totalitarianism, and trips to the Cambridge History Forum Conference.
Skills you'll gain
History teaches students to question, interpret, and evaluate, and to think critically, write persuasively and build an argument. In addition to this, the coursework component in History helps students to develop their skills of organisation and independent study.
After Long Road
Examples of degrees being taken by students who completed their A level History courses in 2025 include:
- Law at the University of Cambridge
- History with Economics at the University of Manchester
- History at the University of East Anglia
- Archaeology at Durham University
- Military History at the University of Kent
- Veterinary Science at the University of Sussex
In addition, employers value the skills developed through the study of A level History, and it can lead to a range of careers in many different fields, including journalism, politics, law and marketing.
History lessons are really interesting. We do a lots of discussion, and group work as well as writing. The work can be challenging, but it’s interesting and there’s help available when needed
