History is both a rewarding and challenging subject to study, especially at A level. It is also seen as an incredibly valuable A level by university admissions officers across the country.
Studying such a demanding A level should not be taken lightly. Succeeding in A level History requires a solid understanding of how major historical events have changed society, culture, religion and ethnic diversity into what it is today. You also need to be confident in critical analysis, communication, essay writing and exam preparation.
Whether you’re a student looking to improve your grades or you’re a parent seeking guidance for your child, this article provides the recipe for success.
Ready to claim your A-A* in A level History? Take your future into your own hands! Harness the expertise of A-Level History Tutors with The Profs to transform your understanding and pave the way for your future academic and career success.
Content:
- What to expect: Understanding the A level History curriculum
- Understanding grades: How many marks do you need to get an A or A* in A level History?
- Is A level History harder than GCSE History?
- Understanding the A level History exam format
- What are the fundamental concepts of A level History?
- Brush up on your English and study Critical Thinking
- Complete past papers to boost your grades
- Make use of visual aids to improve your memory
- Explore History beyond your A level
- Teach what you’ve learned
- Benefit from our expert guidance in A level History
- FAQs
What to expect: Understanding the A level History curriculum
If you’d like to achieve the best grades possible, you should learn your A level syllabus inside and out. Syllabuses can vary across exam boards, as listed below:
| Exam Board | Curriculum |
| AQA | AS students must take assessments in both of the following components, in the same series.
Students must:
To achieve the full A level you must also take Component 3. For the full A level there exists an additional requirement of studying topics from a chronological range of at least 200 years. A British history option must be chosen for Component 1 and a non-British history option must be chosen for Component 2, or vice versa. Component 1: Breadth study
Component 2: Depth study
Component 3: Historical Investigation A personal study based on a topic of the student’s choice. This should take the form of a question in the context of approximately 100 years. It must not duplicate the content of options chosen for Components 1 and 2. It should be an essay of 3500 – 4500 words in length. |
| Pearson Edexcel | You must choose one of 8 possible routes you can take to complete your AS level or A level. Routes: A: Conquest, Control and Resistance in the Medieval World B: Religion and the State in Early Modern Europe C: Revolutions in Early Modern and Modern Europe D: Challenges to the Authority of State in the Late Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries E: Communist States in the Twentieth Century F: Searching for the Rights and Freedoms of the Twentieth Century G: Nationalism, Dictatorship, and Democracy in Twentieth-Century Europe H: Democracies in Change: Britain and the USA in the 20th Century Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations A: The Crusades c.1095 – 1204 B: England 1509 – 1603: Authority, Nation and Religion C: Britain, 1625 – 1701: Conflict, Revolution and Settlement D: Britain, c.1785 – c.1870: Democracy, Protest and Reform E: Russia, 1917 – 91: from Lenin to Yeltsin F: In Search of the American Dream: the USA, c.1917 – 96 G: Germany and West Germany, 1918 – 89 H: Britain transformed, 1918 – 97 Paper 2: Depth Study A: Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c.1053 – 1204 OR England and the Angevin Empire in the Reign of Henry II, 1154 – 89 B: Luther and the German Reformation c1515 – 55 OR The Dutch Revolt, c.1563 – 1609 C: France in Revolution, 1774 – 99 OR Russia in Revolution, 1894 – 1924 D: The Unification of Italy, c.1830 – 70 OR The Unification of Germany, c.1840 – 71 E: Mao’s China, 1949 – 76 OR The German Democratic Republic, 1949 – 90 F: India c.1914-48: the Road to Independence OR South Africa, 1948 – 94, from Apartheid State to ‘Rainbow Nation’ G: The Rise and Fall of Fascism in Italy, c.1911 – 46 OR Spain 1930 – 78: Republicanism, Francoism and the Re-establishment of Democracy H: The USA, c1920 – 55: Boom, Bust and Recovery OR The USA, 1955 – 92: Conformity and Challenge Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects of depth Choose one of the following options in accordance with your choice of option.
Coursework This will be an essay between 3000 – 4000 words. You have a free choice of topic, as all the content requirements are met in the examined papers. |
| OCR (A) | AS Level candidates choose one topic from Unit Group 1 and another from Unit Group 2 to study for their exams. For the full A level, candidates must also study one topic from Unit Group 3 and write a topic-based essay. Full A level candidates have an additional restriction for their choices – whatever they decide to study must span over at least 200 years of history. Unit Group 1: British period study and inquiry
Unit Group 2: Non-British Period Study
Unit Group 3: Thematic Study and Historical Interpretations
Topic based essay This is an opportunity for students to bring together many of the skills developed through their work on the topics to an independently researched enquiry of their own choosing. This will be an essay that is between 3000-4000 words in length. |
Typically, you would study A level History with a school or college, who decide for you what you will be studying for each component of your course, so you won’t need to worry about whether you should study the right combination of topics. Nevertheless, knowing how to distinguish between different topics across the different A level components is very useful when organising your revision.
Need help understanding your curriculum for A level History? Our expert History tutors can clarify the topics covered, as well as break them down in an easy-to-understand way. From revision tips to practice tests, we’ve got your back. Ignite your academic journey and cultivate expertise with The Profs’ A-Level Tutors, where your future success is our priority.
Understanding the A level History exam format
If you are aiming for an A or A* in A level History, you need to know what paper covers what topics, and how much they count towards your final grade. Take a look at the table below for detailed information on the exam papers for each exam board:
| Exam Board | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | Coursework (A level Only) |
| AQA | Component 1: Breadth Study AS level: 50% of AS. 1 hour 30 minutes worth 50 marks.
A level: 40% of A level 2 hours 30 minutes worth 80 marks.
| Component 2: Depth Study AS level: 50% of AS. 1 hour 30 minutes worth 50 marks.
A level: 40% of A level 2 hours 30 minutes worth 80 marks.
| N/A | Component 3: Historical Investigation 20% of A level. 3500 – 4500 word essay on topic not chosen in Components 1 or 2. |
| Pearson Edexcel | Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations 2 hours 15 minutes worth 60 marks. 60% of AS level, 30% of A level.
| Paper 2: Depth study 1 hour 30 minutes worth 40 marks. 40% of AS level, 20% of A level.
| Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects of depth (A level Only) 2 hours 15 minutes worth 60 marks. 20% of A level.
| 20% of A level. 3000 – 4000 coursework essay on any topic of your choosing. |
| OCR (A) | Paper 1: British period study and enquiry (Unit Group 1) 1 hour 30 minutes. 50% of AS (50 marks), 25% of A level (50 marks).
| Paper 2: Non-British period study (Unit Group 2) AS: 1 hour 30 minutes. A level: 1 hour 50% of AS (50 marks), 15% of A level (30 marks). One 10-mark question and one 20-mark question. | Paper 3: Thematic study and historical interpretations (Unit Group 3) 2 hours 30 minutes 40% of A level (80 marks).
Interpretation Question (30 marks)
| Topic-based essay (Unit Y100) 20% of A level. |
The information below applies to all the above exam boards:
- Regardless of your exam board, you only take 2 papers if you commit to doing an AS level in History, which you take at the end of Year 12. Both of these papers account for 50% of the AS level if you are doing your exam with AQA and OCR. If you are taking your exams with Edexcel you should be expecting a 60-40% allocation for your exams.
- If you decide to do the full A level, you instead take 3 papers at the end of Year 13 in addition to completing a piece of coursework, which is a great way of specialising in an area of History of your choice.
- OCR used to offer an A level History B course which offered more of a context-based approach to learning rather than being topic-centered. Whilst OCR no longer offers this A level, OCR A level History still remains, and boasts the largest variety of choices across the three exam boards mentioned.
Our expert Modern and Medieval History tutors can help you grasp complex concepts, find excellent revision methods suited to you and improve your grades!
Is A level History harder or easier than GCSE History?
In comparison to GCSEs, many students find A levels to be much more difficult, and unfortunately, A level History is no exception. Whilst GCSE History builds on the foundation of the subject, A level is much more rigorous.
Most top candidates study History within and beyond their curriculum as much as possible. If you do this, it will consolidate what you learned at GCSE whilst also helping you to become better prepared for A level questions. Many students find the jump between GCSEs and A levels challenging; the best way to combat this is exposure.
Also, make sure that you are consistent in your studies. It’s much better to do a little bit every day than study a vast amount in one day and then not at all for the next few days. Doing this strengthens your long-term memory and gives you time to contextualise challenging concepts. This simple strategy will be instrumental in earning you a top grade in A level History.
Don’t be discouraged from studying A level History. We can help you achieve your very best grades!
Understanding grades: How many marks do you need to get an A or A* in A level History?
It is important to note that each exam board has its own marking criteria. So, achieving top grades is not easier through one exam board than another. However, given there are so many things you can study in A level History, understanding the grade boundaries might be quite tricky. There are just too many to mention specifically in an article like this.
To the best information on grades, we recommend looking into the grade boundaries for the previous Summer exam season. Top candidates find this to be the most accurate way of working out how they aim for that A or A*. You should be able to find them for your specific exam board with a quick search online.
Do you need help understanding grade boundaries or what your personal goal should be? Would you like an expert to guide you through your A level in History? Do you want to get an A or A*? You’ve come to the right place.
Here at The Profs, top grades are our forte. That’s why 35% of our students achieve an A* at A level, which is over 4x the national average! Talk to us to get things started.
What are the fundamental concepts of A level History?
History is an incredibly broad subject within the field of humanities that investigates the significance of past events. When studying A level History, Medieval History refers to historical events between 476 AD – c.1450 AD, and Modern History refers to events from c.1450 and beyond.
It is generally expected that for A level History, you will be studying the history of Great Britain and that of another country, whilst spanning at least 200 years’ worth of events overall. However, even though the study of History can vary drastically between candidates, common skill sets are developed, such as the ability to analyse sources objectively, and create strong arguments to back up varying perspectives.
To get an A or A*, you must make sure you are proficient in all of these skills, and know your specific areas of History inside-out. This will require a revision timetable that is easy to follow and should be put together following your strengths and weaknesses. You also need to be confident in writing essays to get these top grades.
Need help? Our expert History tutors can help you understand every concept and build a personalised revision plan. Alternatively, you can also reach out to one of our Essay tutors to get your writing abilities up to speed.
It is also important to note A level History does not cover any period of Ancient Rome or any earlier periods of history. If this is perhaps where your interest lies, why not get in touch with our Ancient History tutors instead? Regardless of what you wish to study, there’s no reason not to achieve your best.
Identifying your strengths and weaknesses
Candidates only have so much time to revise for their exams, and that time must be used wisely. A great way to be productive with this is to go over your A level syllabus and use the traffic light system to identify what you believe your strengths and weaknesses are.
This involves going through your syllabus and highlighting topics you are very confident about in green, those that you feel neutral towards in amber, and finally, red for topics you have little to no confidence in.
This process is very good at prioritising what you revise first and in what order, starting with your weakest topics. Make sure that you cover the relevant theory before jumping into exam questions when working through these, ideally using a revision guide rather than a textbook. Also, ensure that what you are working with completely matches your exam specifications.
Our expert History tutors can help you grasp complex concepts, find excellent revision methods suited to you and improve your grades. Realise your ambitions with expert guidance from The Profs’ tutors and elevate your career to new heights.
Brush up on your English and study Critical Thinking
Many topics within History heavily depend on the skills developed through GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature, which is why many students decide to study History and English at the same time during their A levels. In fact several universities suggest this when applying to university for History, although this is not the only possible combination of subjects you could take to become a History undergraduate student (contact our admissions experts if you’d like to know more).
Universities in general consider critical thinking to be a weak subject to study at A level, and it is important to note what courses your chosen universities value. However, it is a fantastic subject to return to, if you want to understand how to make a strong argument. It is also useful in gauging the validity and reliability of a piece of evidence which is extremely useful for studying history.
There are many ways you can develop your skills in these areas. For instance, you could take part in a debate club or enter an essay competition on a topic of your choosing.
Above everything else, we suggest practising History past paper questions for History regularly, but keep studying essay writing and critical thinking as much as you can on the side.
Complete past papers to boost your grades
Overall, completing past papers is a valuable study technique that can help you prepare effectively for exams and increase your chances of success. Even if some of the questions are challenging, it’s best to start doing this sooner rather than later.
You also want to make sure you read and understand questions properly before attempting a question. This may involve underlining keywords and phrases. Action words, such as ‘argue’ or ‘justify’, also give a clue as to what kind of answer should be provided.
Finally, make sure to mark every single attempt you make. By being familiar with a paper’s mark scheme, you will be able to see how marks are allocated. Use this as an opportunity to provide yourself with constructive criticism, and use that as a drive to fill any further blanks in your understanding of the material.
Do you want to get an A or A*? You’ve come to the right place. Here at The Profs, top grades are our forte. That’s why 35% of our students achieve an A* at A level, which is over 4x the national average!
Make use of visual aids to improve your memory
Flashcards are an excellent method for swiftly reviewing essential facts and information relevant to the A level History curriculum. You can craft your own flashcards by jotting down key concepts, facts, and equations, or utilise online resources like Quizlet.
Utilising online platforms such as Quizlet can further enhance your revision for A level History syllabus and exams. These platforms allow you to generate virtual flashcards featuring various question types and answers. Additionally, platforms like Quizlet enable you to share your flashcards with fellow students studying the same topics, fostering collaborative learning.
Flashcards prove to be an effective and efficient method of revising for your A level History syllabus and exams. With the right approach, they facilitate swift recollection of key facts and concepts, aiding in achieving optimal results in your studies.
Mind maps also offer an excellent means of structuring information and establishing connections between different topics. Breaking down complex subjects into smaller components through mind mapping simplifies review and aids in memory retention.
You can construct mind maps using traditional pen and paper or utilise online platforms, such as Coggle. Mind maps typically comprise circles or boxes linked by lines.
Each box or circle denotes a keyword or concept, with lines drawn to connect related ideas and additional details incorporated in smaller boxes or circles surrounding the main idea. This method creates a visual representation of the topic, enhancing retention.
When crafting a mind map for your A level History syllabus, begin by listing your weakest topics and work your way up to the stronger ones.
Explore History beyond your A level
If you are not only aiming for top universities as well as top grades, you need to be doing plenty of supercurricular activities to show your love for History.
This includes attending History talks at universities, reading History books and articles, listening to podcasts, or even taking part in annual history essay competitions offered by Oxbridge colleges such as the Julia Wood History Essay Competition at St Hugh’s College (University of Oxford), or Fitzwilliam College’s History Essay Competition (University of Cambridge). You could even make a visit to the British Museum and research into some of their exhibits.
Top-performing candidates for History degrees study additional topics over what has been provided at school. Not only does this strengthen your university applications, but it also increases your overall understanding of History, making A level questions much easier in comparison.
If you are in the middle of applying for university, we have an excellent team of admissions tutors who would love to help you maximise your chances of success!
Teach what you’ve learned
Register to tutor History to your peers or conduct revision sessions. If not, consider approaching a friend or family member to teach them specific theories and concepts.
Even if your grasp of a topic is not completely thorough, attempting to explain it to someone can significantly aid your comprehension of its workings. Teaching others helps solidify your understanding of concepts. If you can explain concepts effectively, you possess sufficient understanding to apply them successfully!
Make sure to take regular breaks between your study periods! Other than to consolidate your knowledge, your mental health comes above all else, so make sure you also eat, drink and sleep in healthy amounts.
Want top grades and dedicated support? Our expert History tutors can help.
Benefit from our expert guidance in A level History
If you’d like to achieve an A or A* in A level History, you can reach out to our expert team for dedicated and bespoke support.
Unsure? Trust in our results. 35% of our students achieved an A* in 2023, compared to the national average of 7.7%. Hence working with us will increase your chances by a whopping 78%!
Our experienced History tutors offer methods for improvement by breaking down complex concepts and providing exam strategies. They also offer a deeper understanding of the subject by providing additional learning materials and offering immediate feedback.
If you’re making the jump from GCSE to A level you might find it especially useful to get bespoke help from one of our experienced GCSE tutors!
So, if you’re ready to claim your A-A* in A level History, connect with our friendly team today, and achieve the best grades possible.
FAQs
Why should you study A level History?
A Level History offers many benefits, from expanding your understanding of the world to preparing you for rewarding careers and personal development. Whether your interests lie in anthropology, economics, politics, or sociology, A level History equips you with the knowledge and skills to succeed and make meaningful contributions to society.
How hard is A level History?
A level History is without a doubt a challenging subject due to its depth and breadth of content, critical thinking and logical reasoning abilities, and essay writing skills. Alongside a series of written exams at the end of your time at secondary school, you will be awarded an overall grade where A and A* are the very best grades you can possibly achieve.
Many universities do not claim you have to complete this A level however it is highly valued in entering a variety of different degrees. For instance, studying Mao’s China as part of an A level History course alongside Chinese and Economics would be a really good combination of courses to study at university if you wish to study a BA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. But not all secondary schools and colleges offer such a combination of options. Therefore in an effort for universities to allow access to studying History and other courses to be fair, they do not make A level History a compulsory A level requirement.
Despite its difficulty, A level History can be highly rewarding for students who have a passion for the subject and are willing to put in the effort to understand its concepts thoroughly. With effective study strategies, support from teachers or our History tutors, and dedication, students can overcome the challenges of A level History and achieve success in their exams. Why not get in touch with The Profs to maximise your learning today?
Where can A level History take you?
A level History can open up various pathways and opportunities, depending on your interests and career aspirations. Here are a few potential directions:
- Education: A level History can be a stepping stone to becoming a history teacher, lecturer, or educational administrator.
- Heritage and Museum Work: Jobs in museums, archives, heritage sites, and conservation areas often require a strong background in history.
- Public History and Media: Careers in public history, such as working in television, radio, or publishing, benefit from the research and storytelling skills gained in A level History.
- Law: The analytical and research skills developed in history are highly valued in the legal profession.
- Politics and Government: History students often pursue careers in public policy, government, diplomacy, or international organisations.
- Journalism: The ability to research, analyse, and communicate effectively makes history students well-suited for careers in journalism and media.
- Business and Finance: The critical thinking and analytical skills from studying history are valuable in various roles within business and finance, including management, marketing, and consulting.
Ultimately, A level History equips you with valuable analytical, problem-solving, and practical skills that are highly sought after across various sectors, whilst simultaneously building your cultural awareness and understanding of ethics. Where the study of history takes you depends on your interests, strengths, and career goals.
Can you self-study A level History?
Yes, it is possible to self-study A level History, but it can be challenging. A level subjects are typically designed to be taught over two years in a structured classroom environment, with guidance from teachers and a wealth of access to history books for essay writing. However, if you are motivated, disciplined, and have access to appropriate resources, self-studying A level History is feasible.
Can you do an A level in History in 1 year?
Mainstream secondary schools will normally not offer this as an option, with the exception that you have an exceptional aptitude for the subject.
However, many institutions for adult learners offer accelerated courses for A levels, which you can complete in one year. You have the option to either study such a course through online classes, or you can still attend classes in person.
Regardless of what your circumstances are, studying A level History in one year can be achieved through careful planning, and a commitment to the schedule you set yourself. Harness the power of personalisation with Online Tutors at The Profs and propel your career to new heights through customised learning experiences.
