History A Level (Full AS + A2)

This distance learning A Level History course has been designed to the latest specifications. The first available exam dates for this version of the Pearson Edexcel History A Level are in June 2017.

As you progress through this engaging and interesting home study course you will have 24 hour access to your own specialist tutor via email. They will guide you through interesting and complex topics such as Soviet revolutionary history and British Parliamentary reform in a way that is accessible to students with little or no prior knowledge of the subject.

An A Level in History is a great platform for those wishing to move on to higher education, but could be equally useful for those wising to bolster their CV, or simply learn something new.

The aims and objectives of the Pearson Edexcel A Level in History are to enable students to:

• Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and an understanding of its intrinsic value and significance
• Acquire an understanding of different identities within society and an appreciation of aspects such as social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity, as appropriate
• Build on their understanding of the past through experiencing a broad and balanced course of study
• Improve as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds
• Develop the ability to ask relevant and significant questions about the past and to research them
• Acquire an understanding of the nature of historical study, for example that history is concerned with judgements based on available evidence and that historical judgements are provisional
• Develop their use and understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills
• Make links and draw comparisons within and/or across different periods and aspects of the past
• Organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways, arguing a case and reaching substantiated judgements.

This course consists of four units:

AS Level

Unit 1 AS Level Unit One: HIS1D: Change and Consolidation - Britain 1603-1642
This unit promotes the understanding of change over time, of at least 50 years. Focuses on how governments establish themselves and respond to the need for change. The student will develop a strong sense of historical perspective and understand the relationships between key feature and characteristics of the period of study.

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

Unit 2 AS Level Unit Two: HIS2O: Periods of Change - The Impact of Chairman Mao: China 1946-1976
This unit promotes the study of significant periods of history in depth. An understanding of the complexity of historical process is established.

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

A2 Level

Unit 3 A2 Level Unit Three: HIS3J: The State and the People - Change and Continuity - Britain 1918-1964

This unit promotes an understanding of change and continuity over approximately 50 years. The relationship between the state and the people is explored. This unit develops students' understanding of how a particular issue, such as the impact of religious belief, interacted with other issues in a short period, and how this issue changed in significance over the 50-year period.

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

Unit 4 A2 Level Unit Four (coursework option): HIS4X: Historical Enquiry - Totalitarian Ideology in Theory and in Practice, c1848-c1941 (broadly covering the required 100 years)

Students will be required to submit a Historical Enquiry based on the investigation of a historical issue. The issue must be of sufficient depth and detail whilst covering 100 years. The issue must allow focus on a significant issue or debate.

Exams

Exams are taken at an AQA centre and we can provide an extensive list of centres for you.

This home study course is aimed at those who wish to broaden their general knowledge of the interpretation of the past events, as well as those seeking to go on to study History or related subjects at a higher level.

We only require that students have basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.