History

Two Edexcel A level History courses are on offer at QE – Tudor History (9HI0: Papers 1B, 2B & 33) and Modern History (9HI0: Papers 1G, 2G & 35). Each course will develop the same skills and lead to the same qualification but they will look at different time periods and content. Both Modern and Tudor History will cover a chronological range of at least two hundred years and will include a study of British history and one or more other countries. There will also be an opportunity to carry out an independently researched historical enquiry (coursework) in the second year of the course.

Tudor History 

In the first year, the course will cover Tudor England from 1509 to 1603 including the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, as well as Martin Luther and the German Reformation, c1515-55. In the second year, we will focus on the witch craze in Britain, Europe and North America, c1580- 1750 and there is also a coursework requirement which will concentrate on historical interpretations and controversies in Tudor England.

Modern History 

In the first year, we will study Germany and West Germany from 1918 to 1989 including the rise of the Nazis, life in Hitler’s Germany and post-war Germany, as well as the rise and fall of fascism in Italy, c1911 to 1946. In the second year, the course will focus on the British Empire from 1763 to 1914 and there is also a coursework requirement.

(Exam board – Edexcel. Tudor History 9HI0: Papers 1B, 2B & 33; Modern History 9HI0: Papers 1G, 2G & 35)

History is taught in a variety of ways at QE. Activities include:

• Class debates
• Studying sources
• Audio-visual resources
• Use of ICT
• Essay writing & note taking
• Reading and research

A range of other activities are organised each year. In the past, these have included:

• Lectures at local universities
• Visits to historical sites in Britain and Europe (Rome, Berlin, Leeds Armouries and Fountains Abbey have been visited in recent years)
• A monthly History club which looks at other periods of History not studied in class
• A History Christmas Quiz

Assessment is by source and essay questions. There are three examinations taken at the end of the course. A coursework assignment is also completed in the second year which makes up 20% of the A level.

You should meet the general college entry requirements for advanced level study. Please refer to the current Prospectus – advanced programmes, entry requirements. You must also have grade 4 in GCSE English. If you have already taken the subject at GCSE a minimum of a grade 4 is required. It is not a requirement that you have studied History at GCSE in order to take an Advanced Level course in the subject. 

In this subject, particular skills and aptitudes will be required, many of which will be demonstrated by students’ GCSE profiles.

Students will also need to meet the general College entry requirements. Entry requirements are subjects to change.

History students go on to a wide range of careers, from areas of obvious relevance like heritage work, teaching or research, to fields like journalism, law, accountancy and management, the civil service, even midwifery!

History combines well with a number of other subjects and is well regarded both by universities and employers as a qualification for a wide range of courses in Politics, Economics, English, Languages, Art History, Law, Archaeology, Philosophy, Sociology or Theology.