A Level History

In this A Level History course you will look into the past to learn about the people and events which made Europe what it is today.

You'll start with Tsarist Russia, and examine the conditions that led to revolution of 1917 and social change. Then, you'll look at the changes in the balance of power in Europe, the emergence of mighty empires and their eventual downfall, and the origin of the First World War.

Closer to home, the History A Level course will see you study Britain's policy of appeasement in the years before the Second World War, and closely examine the roles of the monarchy and the state in eighteenth century Britain.

Through your history study you'll gain an understanding of change over time and acquire a strong sense of historical perspective, detecting changes and continuities in the sweep of history.

This course prepares candidates for the AQA History A Level syllabus (2040) for examinations in Summer 2016. This will be the final examination for this specification. For more information on A level specification reforms please speak to our course advisors.

The A Level History syllabus covers four units:

AS Units

• Unit 1 - Tsarist Russia, 1855-1917
• Unit 2 - Britain and Appeasement, 1919-1940

A2 Units

• Unit 3: Stability and War: British Monarchy and State, 1714-1770
• Unit 4 - The Changing Balance of Power in Europe, 1815-1918

Unit 1 - Tsarist Russia, 1855-1917

• Reform and reaction, 1855-1881
• Political reaction: social and economic change, 1881-1904
• Russia in revolution, 1904-1906
• The Tsarist regime, 1906-1914
• The First World War and the revolutions of 1917

Unit 2 - Britain and Appeasement, 1919-1940

• Post-war attitudes towards the peace settlement
• Challenges to international peace, 1931-1935
• The National Government and appeasement, 1935-1937
• Neville Chamberlain and appeasement, 1937-1940
• Unit 3 - Stability and War: British Monarchy and State, 1714-1770
• The establishment of the Hanoverian Dynasty, 1714-1721
• The age of Walpole, 1721-1742
• The later years of George II, 1742-1760
• The early years of George III, 1760-1770

Unit 3: Stability and War: British Monarchy and State, 1714-1770

• The Establishment of the Hanoverian Dynasty, 1714-1721
• The Age of Walpole, 1721-1742
• The Later Years of George II, 1742-1760
• The Early Years of George III, 1760-1770

Unit 4 - The Changing Balance of Power in Europe, 1815-1918

• The changing European order after 1815
• Diplomacy and the 'Concert of Europe'
• The theory of 'Balance of Power'
• The conflict between liberalism and autocracy
• Economic development and state power
• Nationalism and nation-building
• The emergence of Prussia
• Alliances and rivalries: territorial, national and religious conflict Europe and the origins of the First World War
• The collapse of the Hapsburg, German, and Russian Empires

This course will prepare you to sit the A Level History exams.

An A Level in History can be the stepping stone to a career or further studies in history, perhaps a university degree. If you wish to enter or progress in employment, you'll find your History A Level will demonstrate to employers that you have the ability to commit to learning, and have acquired good reasoning and analytical skills and an ability to absorb and understand facts - essential in practically every walk of life.

You don't need any previous experience or qualifications to enrol in our A Level History course. That's because we believe in making home study - and a rewarding future - as accessible as possible. However, completion of GCSE History is advised.