GCE A Level in History A
at The Bishop'S Stortford High School, Bishop's Stortford · school or sixth form
What the college says
Over the two-year course students complete four modules, which not only focus on different topics but also develop different historical skills. These are likely to include the following: Unit 1: British Period Study and Enquiry - Y101 - Alfred and the Making of England 871-1016 (Specific Document Enquiry on Alfred the Great) Unit 2: Non British Period Study - Y219 - Russia 1894-1941 (Period study) Unit 3: Thematic Study and Historical Interpretations - Y311 - From Colonialism to Independence: The British Empire 1857-1965 (Thematic study and interpretations) Unit 4: Coursework - Y4 - A Personal Study on a topic of the student's choice (A single 3000-4000 word essay which must include the use of primary evidence and historical interpretations) History offers the opportunity to study fascinating characters and events from the past allowing students to immerse themselves in periods and places that are both completely different and yet fundamentally similar to today. In Year 12, students analyse two contrasting nations from two completely different periods - yet both topics are vital in understanding the modern world. We delve into the concept of revolution - considering the fervour in St Petersburg in the early C20th and the impact of the Bolshevik seizure of power in shaping not just Russian history but events and ideologies across the globe. In contrast, the study of Alfred the Great will offer a unique perspective on the emergence of English identity and England as a nation -
What you need to get on
Overall Pathway requirements: 3 A levels - at least 44 from your best 8 GCSEs (and at least grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language or Literature) or BTEC and 1 A level - at least 34 points from your best 8 GCSES (and at least grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language or Literature) plus subject requirement: 6 in GCSE History
How you are assessed
Academic subjects, mostly exams, three or four at once. The traditional route to university.
What this level means
The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.
Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?
Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.
Where it runs
The Bishops Stortford High School
Beaumont Avenue, Bishops Stortford, CM23 4SH
DaytimeClassroom basedCheck the journey
Start dates
- 1 September 2026 · Bishops Stortford
- 1 September 2027 · Bishops Stortford
Who else teaches this exact qualification
Same qualification, different college. Entry requirements and how it is taught can differ a lot between them, which is the whole reason to compare.
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