What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course? History is an academically demanding subject, which is reflected by our entry requirements. We ask for at least a5 grade in History GCSE or a grade 6 in English GCSE if History GCSE not studied. It is not an absolute requirement to have studied History before. It is more important that you have an enquiring mind, an interest in the past and its relevance to current affairs and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively. Those students who have studied GCSE History will find that the skills they have learned and the knowledge they have acquired will form a solid foundation for further studies at A Level. What will I learn on this course? • During Year 12 students will study ‘The Making of Modern Britain, 1951 to 1979’, from Churchill to Callaghan to deference and decadence. It takes in the Swinging 60s, the origins of multicultural Britain and the failure of the post-war consensus. They will also study ‘The Making of a Superpower, USA: 1865 to 1920’, from Reconstruction and the corruption of the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era and the rise of American Imperialism. • Towards the end of Year 12, students will start work on their coursework, which accounts for 20% of the overall grade. This will be completed in Year 13. This covers a 100-year period and students can choose to study either Mary Tudor and her attempts to restore Roman Catholicism or the legacy of the British rule of India. • In Year 13, students will resume and extend their studies on the same topics. The British unit will progress to 2007, covering Thatcher, Major and Blair. The America unit will extend to 1975, including the Roaring Twenties, the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. Both the British and American units take in a broad range of political, economic, cultural and social history. What kind of student is this course suitable for? The course will appeal to students who • have an interest in the way that the world has developed through the ages • enjoy investigation and discovery • enjoy debate and like putting forward a well-argued case • want to improve their analytical skills • want to study a subject which encourages them to consider evidence and make up their own minds • want to broaden A level studies to include a humanities subject • want to keep their options open. History is regarded as a "facilitating subject" by Russell Group universities - a subject whose academic rigour is well regarded when making UCAS applications How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course? As well as covering advanced level study of History, this course will enable you to develop some key skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards. These include • communication • information technology • problem solving • working with others • improving own learning and performance History A Level offers you plenty of opportunities to acquire the key skills. These will arise naturally during your lessons and might include presenting your ideas to the rest of your group, taking part in a discussion, using ICT for research or working in a small group to investigate a historical problem. What could I go on to do at the end of my course? Students who study Advanced Level History have access to a wide range of career and higher education opportunities. By the end of your course you will have learned how to evaluate and analyse information, how to weigh up evidence and how to communicate complex ideas effectively. These skills are recognised and valued by employers, universities and colleges. History combines well with maths and science subjects to create an attractive portfolio of qualifications, enabling a student to move on to a university science-based course. Combined with English and a modern foreign language it would provide a good basis for an arts or languages-based degree. History A Level provides an excellent foundation for a number of popular careers including journalism, law, politics and business.