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History A Level: Britain, France and China                

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO START THE COURSE

6 in history (if studied)
6+ in English language

IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU?

This A Level offers you the chance to explore three ‘superpowers’ of the modern age: Great Britain, France and China. This challenging and fascinating course allows you to study the rise and fall of ‘great’ nations and the nature of power, empire and imperialism. It will inspire and enrich you, ensuring you develop a deeper understanding of the world both as it was and as it is.

YEAR 12 COURSE SPECIFICATION

For this course you will study 2 exam units over the year. If you are studying the AS you will take the AS exam in both units at the end of year 12. If you choose to take the A level, you will be studying the first half of each unit (Empire and China) in year 12 and then complete a 3000-3500 word coursework essay on the French Revolution in the spring and summer term.

The three units you will study are:

  1. The British Empire, 1867-1967
  2. The Transformation of China, 1936-1997
  3. The French Revolution 

YEAR 13 COURSE SPECIFICATION

For this course you will study 2 exam units over the two years. You will study the first half of each unit in year 12 and the second half of each unit in year 13 for the A level. In addition, you will also complete a 3000-3500 word coursework essay at the end of year 12 and hand it in at the beginning of year 13.

LEARNING AND SKILLS

  • Builds and develops the history skills of evaluation and writing essays.
  • Students will be expected to work with original and secondary documents.
  • Visits to museums, lectures and archives for research.
  • Individual work on coursework assignments.
  • History students are able to analyse and develop a logical argument both in their written work and verbally.
  • Students will research topics using sources, IT etc and select and use information accurately, being aware of different interpretations.

These are just some of the skills you will learn during the course.

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT

EXAM BOARD: AQA

This table shows you the breakdown of what you would study in each year for A level:

UNITS

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT

DURATION

WEIGHTING

The British Empire, 1867-1967

Exam unit

2 years

40%

The Transformation of China 1936-1997

Exam unit

2 years

40%

The French Revolution

3000 word essay (A level only)

2 terms 

20%

FUTURE PROSPECTS 

History is well-regarded by universities and a range of different employers, as it teaches students important analysis and evaluation skills. Historians also feel confident in forming and justifying a clear and logical argument, which is a vital skill needed for further education and a wide range of different careers.

Example job titles of history graduates from SOAS include:

Account Executive
Copywriter
Immigration Case Worker
Public Relations and Policy Manager
Primary School Teaching Assistant
Tour Guide
Administrator
Foreign Affairs Analyst
Editorial Assistant
Digital Marketing Assistant
Director of the Transition Year Program
Primary School Supply Teacher
Freelance TV Researcher
Middle East Programme Assistant
Private Tutor
Office Administrator
Freelance Researcher
Sales Assistant
Project Support Manager
Quran Teacher

Alumni Relations Assistant
ESOL Teacher
Production Editor
Primary School Class Teacher (English)
Secondary School Teaching Assistant (History and Sociology)
Marketing and Communications Officer
English Instructor
Teacher’s Assistant in Special Needs
Grants Manager
Junior High School Teacher (History)
Secondary School Teacher (History)
Civil Service Fast Streamer
English Teacher
Floating Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Conference Producer
Bid Administrator
Writer

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