History A-Level
“Study the past if you would define the future.”
Subject information
Exam boardIAL Edexcel
SpecificationA-Level YHI01
How will I be assessed?
Examination: The course is examined in January and June of both Year 12 and Year 13
Course details
Year 12Year 1 A-Level
Unit 1: Depth Study with Interpretations
Unit options (tdb):
- 1A: France in Revolution, 1774–1799
- 1B: Russia in Revolution, 1881–1917
- 1C: Germany 1918–1945
- 1D: Britain 1964–1990
Unit 2: Breadth Study with Source Evaluation
Unit options (tdb):
- 2A: India, 1857–1947
- 2B: China, 1900–1976
- 2C: Russia, 1917–1991
- 2D: South Africa, 1948–2014
Year 13Year 2 A-Level
Unit 3: Thematic Study
Unit options (tdb):
- 3A: Independence to Reconstruction in the USA, 1775–1877
- 3B: The British Experience of Warfare, 1803–1945
- 3C: Germany, 1871–1990
- 3D: Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA, 1877–2009
Unit 4: Extract Evaluation
Unit options (tdb):
- 4A: The Making of Modern Europe, 1799–1871
- 4B: The World in Crisis, 1879–1945
- 4C: The World Divided: Superpower Relations, 1943–1990
- 4D: Southeast Asia, 1945–1990
Assessment overview, duration and weighting
Paper 1 - Written examination 2 hours (25% of qualification - 80 marks)
Paper 2 - Written examination 2 hours (25% of qualification - 80 marks)
Paper 3 - Written examination 2 hours (25% of qualification - 80 marks)
Paper 4 - Written examination 2 hours (25% of qualification - 80 marks)
| Exam Papers | % of IAL | Assessment overview |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 - (Jan Y12) | 25 | Two essays evaluating differing historical interpretations. |
| Paper 2 - (June Y12) | 25 | Two short-answer questions and one essay evaluating contrasting sources. |
| Paper 3 - (June Y13) | 25 | Two essays on historical themes and explanations. |
| Paper 4 - (Jan Y13) | 25 | Evaluation of secondary extracts related to a historical controversy. |
Wider reading
- Orlando Figes, A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924 (ISBN 014024364X)
- Richard J. Evans, The Coming of the Third Reich (ISBN 0143034693)
- Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (ISBN 0316548189
Admissions
Would you like to know more?
Visit the campus in La Moraleja or ask us anything. We answer within 24 hours on working days.