aqa coursework a level history

AQA A Level History Past Papers

A complete collection of aqa a level history past papers. perfect for preparation for upcoming exams. can be used at home for individual learning or within a classroom environment..

It’s time to start preparing for your exams and it’s never been easier with School History. We’ve got hundreds of past papers that are easy to use, come with mark schemes, and are specifically tailored to each specific examination board, so you can get the most from your revision time and enter your examination feeling confident and fully prepared.

Why use past exam papers?

The answer is simple: preparedness. As a A Level student, exams become an important part of your assessment criteria and preparation for A-levels. The use and importance of past papers, therefore, cannot be over-emphasised.

Fill in the blanks

Using past papers are an effective way to establish your strengths and weaknesses so you know where to focus your revision time. Don’t spend hours on a topic you’re familiar with while neglecting an area that needs more time and effort to familiarise yourself with.

Learn effective time management

Proper time management can quite literally mean the difference between passing and failing an exam, even if you know everything that’s required to pass. Your revision time and using past papers is an excellent way to start practicing how to properly manage the time in the exam setting. You’ll be given different styles of questions with different mark allocations, so it’s important to know what’s expected of you and how much time to dedicate to each question, whether its a multiple-choice question, short answer or an essay.

Walk into your exam with confidence

With proper preparation, it’s possible to walk into and out of your exam feeling confident. Confidence is key to performing well as doubt and anxiety can cloud your judgment and affect your ability to think clearly and make the proper decisions. Past papers are the most effective way to familiarise yourself with important terminology, vocabulary, and styles of questions so that you have a solid understanding of what is expected of you to excel in each and every style of question.

Get to know your questions

Remember, some questions will be assessing your knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of a period studied, others will require you to explain and analyse historic events, others will require you to compare and contrast source material and contextualise it in the historic environment, while thematic studies will require you to demonstrate knowledge clearly over centuries while following a particular theme. All of these questions require you to substantiate your answers using facts.

All these questions will be awarded marks in levels, i.e. basic, simple, developed and complex, and short answers and essay questions will also have marks awarded for spelling and grammar. By practicing with past papers you’ll have access to mark schemes, which examiners use to evaluate your responses and you’ll quickly learn how to achieve the most marks while striking the right balance with time management.

Where do I find past papers? Right here, of course! School History has hundreds of examination-style questions to help you practice for your history exams. By signing up, you’ll not only have access to past papers but thousands of resources related to what you’re studying, including notes, activities, quiz questions and more. Let’s dive in! Take a look below at the major examination boards we cover. Give yourself every advantage to excel in your exams and sign up today!

A-level History

A-level history aqa online course.

Are you fascinated by the past and the power it holds to help us understand the present? Then you’ll enjoy delving into some of the most fascinating periods of British and American history when you study A-level History online.

You’ll explore the USA from 1865 to 1975, the compelling period between the end of the American Civil War and World War Two and how the USA came to be the superpower it is today. Moving on, you’ll examine one of the most tumultuous periods in British history, the Wars of the Roses, before undertaking your own independent historical research on a subject of your choosing .

What you will learn

Unit 1 - the making of a superpower part 1: from civil war to world war.

• The Era of Reconstruction
• The weaknesses of the Federal Government
• Political corruption in the Gilded Age
• Social, regional and ethnic divisions
• Economic growth and the rise of corporations
• Laissez Faire Dominance and Consequences
• Foreign affairs and Isolationism
• Populism, Progressivism and Imperialism, 1890–1920

Unit 2 - The Wars of the Roses Part 1: The Fall of the House of Lancaster

• The origins of the conflict, 1450-1459
• The War of the Barons, 1459-1461
• The Triumph of the Yorkists, 1461-1471

Unit 3 - The Making of a Superpower Part 2: Crises and the Rise to World Power

• Domestic Politics in the 1920s
• Underlying economic problems
• Government response to The Great Depression
• Social change and development
• The War and new opportunities
• International Relations 1920-45
• Crisis of identity, 1920–1945
• The Superpower, 1945–1975
• Domestic Politics, 1945-60
• Domestic Politics, 1961-74
• Economic Change & Developments, 1945-75
• The USA and International Relations

Unit 4 - The Wars of the Roses Part 2: The Fall of the House of York

• ‘The Sun in Splendour’: The Reign of Edward IV, 1471–1483
• The Downfall of the Yorkist Monarchy, 1483–1486
• The End of the Yorkist Dynasty, 1486–1499

Preparation for Paper 1K

• Component One: Breadth Study
• Component Two: Depth Study
• Component Three: Historical Investigation

Awarding Body

AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries around the world, highly valued by employers and universities and enable young people to progress to the next stage of their lives. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include  GCSE courses ,  IGCSE courses  and  A-level courses .

Recognised through UCAS

This course carries UCAS points . This means that it can be used to gain direct access to University courses and other Higher Education, through the UCAS system.

Course Outcome

Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive an A-level in History, issued by AQA. Your certificate is identical to that issued to students at any other school, college or university.

Oxbridge has chosen this syllabus ( 7042 ) because it is the best suited to online learning and we believe it provides the best chance of success.

How is this course assessed or examined?

You’ll be required to complete three assessments as part of this course: 

Written Exams:  

• Paper 1: 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A-level, 80 marks
• Paper 2: 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A-level, 80 marks

Non-Exam Assessment (NEA):  

• Coursework Task 1: 3,500-4,500 words, 20% of A-level, 40 marks

The exams contain questions linked to primary sources given and sources relevant to the period studied. The coursework is a personal study based on a topic of the student’s choice to be completed in their own time. Coursework is marked by a tutor and moderated by AQA.

Entry requirements

A GCSE or equivalent in History is recommended for this course. This History A-level syllabus is a difficulty level three: the equivalent difficulty of an A-level or BTEC, which is usually suitable for most learners of all ages.

Past Papers

You can access past papers for this course . They are free to access and cover a range of exam boards.

Find out more about the exams here .

All done through MyOxbridge

Get a printed version delivered to you.

Pay £ by card or mobile payment

from £ /month with OmniCapital

We offer a wide variety of payment options to suite you. Find out how affordable our courses are .

Courses Taught by Experts

Early years.

Beginning my career as an early years practitioner inspired me to step into the world of teaching. I have since elevated my skillset through a range of qualifications including L3 in Assessing Vocational Achievement, L 3 in Education & Training and L4 in Internal Quality Assurance. I’m a big kid at heart ; I love Disney movies and also dabble in photography.   

STEM and History of Art

Marine biology, jellyfish conservationist, hairdresser, fitness instructor… I have an eclectic backstory! Art is my passion and one of my proudest moments was achieving my Masters in Fine Art. I then requalified as an Art teacher to share my knowledge with my students. For most of my career, I’ve supported vulnerable students with additional needs such as SEMH and SEN.

Health care

For 10+ years, my passion for helping learners develop and grow has driven my career as a teacher . To help me progress even further, I am currently studying to achieve the IQA award . I love reading and I’m a self-professed Harry Potter fan. Talk to me about all things history, rock music, tattoos and true crime podcasts.  

Counselling and Psychology

I always knew that a career focused around helping people achieve their goals was perfect for me . That’s why I bec a me a tutor . I love to see my student ’s confidence flourish as they progress through their course s . I t’s important to help them fit the ir learning goals around their personal commitment s so they have the best chance of success !  

Education and Childcare

My 30-year stride in education started with childminding, to working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I then tutored in a national reading programme and went on to become a Higher-Level TA. I’m elated to say I graduated with a First-Class BA Honours Degree when I was 50 – living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!

No answers found, but we might still be able to help

• Call us on 0121 630 3000
• Chat to us online

Can I sign up for a Student Beans account and get Student Discounts?

Can you provide a reference for my ucas application, can i get predicted grades for my ucas application, exam results: i need to resit my exams, can i enrol with oxbridge, exam results: when will i receive my certificate.

Wondering what to do next? There are so many options available, it's important to get the right advice. Whether your choice is to continue onto further education, go into job training or get an apprenticeship and whether your grades are high or low - there are always options! Speak to an adviser today to see how we can support you on your next steps...

Exam Results: I didn't pass English or Maths, what do I do next?

Exam results: i have individual unit marks, but no overall grade. what should i do, exam results: i haven't done as well as i expected in my exams. is there anything i can do, what can i do with my a-levels, why study an online a-level course from home, how many ucas points is an a-level course, what a-level courses should i take, how long does it take to study an a-level, what are a-levels, how much do exams cost.

• Revision notes >

A-Level History Revision Notes

Condensing complex subjects into concise, easily digestible formats, these A-Level History revision notes serve as mini study guides, highlighting key concepts and exam topics. Use these to pinpoint areas where you feel you need to focus and make more effective use of your study sessions. Our History tutors are also on-hand for support if you feel that things are getting on top of you.

How can I revise for the A-Level History exams with so much to cover?

Begin by creating a structured revision plan that allocates specific time slots to different historical periods or topics. Use a variety of study resources such as textbooks, primary sources, and reputable websites. Develop concise, topic-based notes to capture key events, figures, and historical contexts. Engage in active revision by creating timelines, mind maps, or flashcards to visualize connections and themes across different periods.

How can I improve my essay writing skills for the essay-based questions in A-Level History exams?

To enhance your essay writing, focus on constructing clear and structured arguments. Start with a strong introduction that outlines your main thesis and provides a roadmap for your essay. Use the PEEEL method (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Evaluation, Link) to craft each paragraph, ensuring your points are well-supported by historical evidence and critical analysis. Include historical context and diverse interpretations to showcase a deep understanding. Regularly practice timed essays under exam conditions to improve your time management and refine your writing style.

How can I effectively remember key dates, events, and figures for A-Level History exams without getting overwhelmed?

Develop mnemonic techniques or memory aids to remember important details. For example, create acronyms or rhymes that include significant events or timelines. Organize your notes chronologically to establish a clear historical timeline. Additionally, make use of visual aids like timelines, charts, or concept maps to visualize the sequence of events and the relationships between them. Regularly review and quiz yourself on these details to reinforce your memory and recall during the exam.

Let's get acquainted ? What is your name?

Nice to meet you, {{name}} what is your preferred e-mail address, nice to meet you, {{name}} what is your preferred phone number, what is your preferred phone number, just to check, what are you interested in, when should we call you.

It would be great to have a 15m chat to discuss a personalised plan and answer any questions

What time works best for you? (UK Time)

Pick a time-slot that works best for you ?

How many hours of 1-1 tutoring are you looking for?

My whatsapp number is..., for our safeguarding policy, please confirm....

Please provide the mobile number of a guardian/parent

Which online course are you interested in?

What is your query, you can apply for a bursary by clicking this link, sure, what is your query, thank you for your response. we will aim to get back to you within 12-24 hours., lock in a 2 hour 1-1 tutoring lesson now.

If you're ready and keen to get started click the button below to book your first 2 hour 1-1 tutoring lesson with us. Connect with a tutor from a university of your choice in minutes. (Use FAST5 to get 5% Off!)

• Back to Main Menu
• Courses Overview

• Back to Courses
• Courses Overview Human Resources
• CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
• CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management

• Courses Overview Learning and Development
• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development
• CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development

• Courses Overview Accountancy
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
• AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
• AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting
• AAT Level 2 & 3 Combined Course in Accounting
• AAT Level 3 & 4 Combined Course in Accounting
• Courses Overview Bookkeeping
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
• AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping
• AAT Level 2 & 3 Combined Course in Bookkeeping

• Courses Overview Banking and Finance
• DipFA® Diploma LIBF Level 4 Financial Advisers

• Courses Overview A Levels
• Business A Level
• Economics A Level
• English Language A Level
• English Literature A Level

History A Level

• Law A Level
• Mathematics A Level
• Psychology A Level
• Sociology A Level
• Courses Overview GCSE and International GCSE
• Biology International GCSE
• English Language International GCSE
• English Literature GCSE
• Human Biology International GCSE
• Mathematics GCSE
• Physics International GCSE
• Psychology GCSE
• Science International GCSE

• Courses Overview IT
• BCS Business Analysis Foundation Certificate
• BCS Agile Foundation Certificate
• BCS Information Security Management Principles Foundation Certificate
• BCS User Experience Foundation Certificate

• Courses Overview Leadership and Management
• CMI Level 5 Certificate Management & Leadership
• CMI Level 5 Diploma Management & Leadership
• CMI Level 7 Certificate Strategic Management & Leadership Practice
• CMI Level 7 Diploma Strategic Management & Leadership Practice
• ILM Level 2 Award Leadership & Team Skills
• ILM Level 2 Certificate Leadership & Team Skills
• ILM Level 3 Award Leadership & Management
• ILM Level 3 Certificate Leadership & Management
• ILM Level 5 Award Leadership & Management
• ILM Level 5 Certificate Leadership & Management

• Courses Overview Procurement and Supply
• CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate Procurement & Supply Operations
• CIPS Level 4 Diploma Procurement & Supply
• CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma Procurement & Supply

• Courses Overview Project Management
• PRINCE2® Foundation Project Management
• PRINCE2® Practitioner Project Management
• PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Combined Project Management
• Apprenticeships
• Blog Overview
• Student Stories
• Human Resources
• Learning and Development
• Accountancy
• Banking and Finance
• GCSE & A Levels
• Procurement
• Career Development
• Study Advice
• News & Announcements
• About Us Overview
• Study With Us
• Our Payment Options
• System Requirements
• Making a Difference
• Student Progress Reports

91% History Pass Rate†

£48/month interest-free *

Total Price 349

Payments 6 months

Deposit £61

Total Price £349

Start anytime with support till summer 2026 results

Exams May/June 2025 exam sittings

100% online with unlimited support

Additional fees Exam centre fees, coursework fees, Student progress report fee

Multi-buy discount Enrol on 2 A Levels save 5% | 3 save 10% | 4+ save 15%

Student course summary to keep you up-to-date

• The same A Level qualification you’d get in school, all online
• Rated Excellent on Trustpilot from 10,000+ student reviews
• Unlimited support from your expert tutor
• Learn at your own pace and set your own schedule
• Study anywhere, anytime on your phone, tablet or laptop

Why is this course right for you?

Have you ever wondered how the past has shaped the present? Our A Level History course unveils a fascinating treasure trove of characters, ideas and events.

It'll take you through 200 years of history, looking the industrialisation of Britain and democracy and Nazism in Germany.   You’ll also do your own historical investigation on a topic of your choice.

Our uniquely flexible course means that  even if you're working full-time or caring for family, you can fit learning around your busy life.

Your A Level History will be a stepping stone to further education, a fulfilling career - and a better future.

Course Details for A Level English Literature

Entry requirements.

You don’t need any previous qualifications to take this course, but GCSE History is advised.

You must be based in the UK in order to enrol and sit your exams.

If English is your second language, we recommend you have an IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, but we’re happy to review your case on an individual basis.

Course Content

This online course will teach you the AQA History A Level syllabus (7042).

You'll cover 4 themes:

• The impact of industrialisation: Britain, c1783-1832
• The Age of Reform: Britain, 1832-1885
• The Weimar Republic, 1918-1933
• Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

For in-depth details of what you’ll explore though each theme, download our A Level History course guide.

A Level Exams

Please note that you’re responsible for booking your exams, and that you must be based in the UK to sit them.

You’ll arrange to sit them at a UK school or college roughly 6 months before your chosen exam date.

There are 2 exams for the AQA History A Level syllabus (7042):

• Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations
• Paper 2: Depth study

One piece of coursework will also contribute to your grade:

• Independently researched enquiry in which you'll analyse and evaluate historical interpretations

As an approved AQA centre, we'll supervise, authenticate and mark your coursework. You'll sit your exams at your chosen exam centre.

Your coursework fees of £169.75 are additional to the course cost. You'll also pay exam centre fees directly to your chosen exam centre.

Payment Options

Spread the cost with our flexible 0% interest* payment plans

Get started right away with a low deposit

Company funding – we can invoice your employer directly

Check out our affordability calculator

ICS Learn student reviews

‘My tutor has been really great, responding quickly to every query I've sent with a full in-depth explanation of everything I've needed to know. I'm thinking about taking up another A Level with ICS Learn!’ - Stephanie Sauvarin

‘I work full-time so I enjoy the flexibility and independence of learning outside the classroom. The tutors respond very quickly to any queries, and you can also connect with others studying the same subject which is really useful.’ - Geraldine Morgan

‘The course fits in very conveniently with the other 3 A Levels that I'm taking at sixth form. ICS Learn has not only helped with my academic confidence, it’s made me feel that I can achieve my dreams.’ - Abigail Robinson

Meet your Tutors

• Get help from your personal History tutor
• Contact your tutor online or arrange a phone call
• All our tutors are qualified teachers and subject specialists
• Complete marked mock exams to ensure you're well-prepared for the real thing
• Access a CV builder, interview simulator and 1000+ career resources through our Career Hub

A Level FAQs

Why should i study with ics learn.

We’re the world’s most experienced online learning provider, having been pioneers in flexible learning for 130 years.

We're rated Excellent from more than 10,000 independent student reviews.

We make it easy to shape learning around your life with our flexible schedule, unlimited support, and interest-free payment plans.

That's why every year, we help thousands of students like you get the A Levels they need to succeed.

Is this the same A Level qualification I'd get in school?

Yes, it’s exactly the same.

You’ll sit the same A Level history exams at the same time as all the other students in the UK, and you’ll receive the same results, transcript and qualification.

Your A Level will be accepted by universities, colleges and employers worldwide, exactly as if you'd studied in school or college.

Your qualification is accredited by AQA, the largest A Level awarding body. They set and mark the exams for around half of all A Levels taken in the UK each year.

When can I start my course?

Right away! There’s no need to wait until September to enrol – you can begin your course at any time.

Once you enrol, you’ll be able to log in to your course and get started by the next working day.

What will I need to study this course?

We recommend you source the following textbook as there are references to it within the course:

• Ailsa Fortune, Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c.1783–1885 (OUP, 2015)

How will I be supported?

• Unlimited support
• 24/7 access to the Student Community, your all-in-one online learning platform
• Interactive online learning broken down into easy-to-follow units
• Practice tests and mock exams marked by your tutor
• Student forums so you can connect and share advice with other English students
• Friendly student services team, so you’re never more than a message or phone call away from a helping hand

You'll also have unlimited lifetime access to our Career Hub, giving you thousands of resources to help you impress employers, master critical business skills, and build your dream career. It includes:

• A CV and cover letter builder
• An interview simulator
• An elevator pitch builder
• Career and work psychology assessments
• In-depth industry and employer profiles
• 350+ employer films with practical advice from hiring managers
• 1000+ short courses, articles and videos on key career skills like negotiating a raise and leading a team

You can take a sneak peek at the Career Hub by signing up for free  here .§

How do I book my exam?

Roughly 6 months before your chosen exam date, you should book your place at an exam centre to take the AQA History A Level syllabus (7042) exam.

Your exam centre could be a school or college that's also submitting its own students for the exam, or it could be a private exam centre. Our partner centre,  Tutors & Exams , offers various discounts to ICS Learn students and has nine exam venues across the UK, including: Belfast, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.

AQA publish  a list of exam centres  that may accept private candidates. This won’t cover every available centre, so if there’s nothing shown in your area, we recommend contacting local schools and colleges directly.

Please note that you can't sit AQA A Level exams outside the UK.

Your exam fees aren’t included in the course cost as they’re paid directly to the exam centre. They’ll vary depending on which centre you choose.

How do I enrol?

If you’d like to pay in full, you can enrol online using the ‘Add to Basket’ button at the top of the page.

If you’d like to set up an interest-free* payment plan, get in touch with our A Level Advisors on 0800 015 3326. You can also verify that your course is budget-friendly when you use our handy affordability calculator . 

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.

What is a Student Course Summary?

Student Course Summaries are monthly reports we create (per subject) for both students and parents who want to remain in the know with any of the following throughout their course: 

• Access History: tells you how many days within the month the student has logged in and how many days they've viewed the course. 
• Submitted Assignments/Mock Exams: documents what assignments have been submitted, as well as when it was submitted, how many times the assignment has been attempted, and what grade they received. 
• Help Requests: this will show the correspondence between the student and the tutor, any questions that have been asked and what the tutor's response was. 
• Course News Forum: this is where students and parents can find Tutor Comments and updates on things such as Live Webinar sessions, or exam booking info.

The fee for this monthly report is a one-off price, no matter how many courses a student is enrolled in, and the fee can be integrated into your flexible payment plan. Keep in mind, however, that this fee is entirely separate from the multibuy discount. 

How can I pay for my course?

If you’re funding the course yourself , our flexible 0% payment plans* allow you to spread the cost with interest-free* monthly instalments. If your employer is funding all or part of your course , we can invoice them directly for your course fees – just let your course advisor know and we’ll arrange everything.

Related Courses

English literature.

Learn more about studying A Level English Literature online with us.

Learn more about studying A Level Psychology online with us.

Learn more about studying A Level Law online with us.

Download Your Free A Level Course Guide

We’ll contact you to discuss your enquiry, help you choose the right course and let you know of any special offers. You can opt-out at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Learn how we keep your data private

† Pass rate based on all ICS Learn A Level History students' results in 2023.

• A Level History

Get in touch

Our friendly Course Advisors will send you more information about the course and answer any questions you have.

Your first step towards success.

Get more information on your course and one of our expert advisors will be in touch.

Visiting from ?

We've got a site tailored for you..

This website works best with JavaScript switched on. Please enable JavaScript

• Centre Services
• Associate Extranet
• All About Maths

AS and A-level History

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources

Assessment resources

• Centre declaration sheets (2)
• A-level (3)
• Applied General

Showing 2 results for 2025 . Reset search

Did you mean y025 ?

Centre declaration sheet 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOC | 520 KB

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 74 KB

The UK National Charity for History

Password Sign In

Become a Member | Register for free

A-level Topic Guide: the Stuarts, the Civil War and the Restoration

James VI and I to Anne

• Add to My HA Add to folder Default Folder [New Folder] Add

The 17th century covering the Stuarts, the English Civil War and the Restoration among other things  is a popular area of study at A-level across the examination boards. Whichever board you are studying with and whatever the focus of your study unit on this period of history, the resources in this unit will support you as you develop your subject knowledge, write essays and revise. 

This resource is FREE for Student HA Members .

HA Members can sign in to access this content or you can Join the HA if you are not already a member.

• Introduction

Monarchs and their Parliaments to 1629

• The Union of the Crowns
• The Early Stuart Parliaments
• King James’s Book of Sports, 1617

1629–49: division, dissent and revolution

• The Road to the First English Civil War
• The Personal Rule of Charles I, 1629-40
• Why did the Civil War break out in 1642?
• Why did the Royalists lose the first Civil War?
• Religion and Politics 1559–1642
• The Irish Confederate War
• The Failure of Negotiated Settlement
• The Levellers
• England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales
• King Charles I
• The Trial of Charles I
• The Local Community and The Great Rebellion
• The Thirty Years War
• English Puritanism
• London and the English Civil War
• Why did People Choose Sides in the English Civil War?

1649–60: Cromwell and the Protectorate/Interregnum

• Oliver Cromwell
• The Commonwealth and the Protectorate
• Was the Protectorate a Military Dictatorship?
• ‘Cromwell’s trunks’
• Penruddock's Rising 1655
• Oliver Cromwell 1658-1958

1660–1702: Restoration to constitutional monarchy

• King Charles II
• How close was England to Absolutism 1660-88?
• James II, William III and the Glorious Revolution of 1688
• Parliament and Constitutional Change 1660-1702
• The Restoration in Ireland
• Intellectual and Scientific Revolution in Britain
• Limited Monarchy in Great Britain in the Eighteenth Century
• Ireland under the reigns of James II and William III
• An English Absolutism?
• James, Duke of Monmouth
• Religion and Party in Late Stuart England

1702–40: the Act of Union

• Life, Reputation and Legacy of Queen Anne
• The Jacobite Rebellion
• The Scottish Dream of Darien

The British Empire

• The Origins of the British Empire
• Early British America
• The Mayflower voyage and the English settlement of North America
• Families and the English Atlantic Empire, 1550-1650
• Native North Americans in Britain
• South Asian British History
• The British Empire in India
• African and Caribbean British History - The Stuart Period
• The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Reading & Revision

• Revision Quiz
• Past Exam Papers
• Reading List

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – A Guide

• Post author By admin
• Post date November 16, 2023
• No Comments on A Level History Coursework Edexcel – A Guide

This guide shows you how to plan, research and write A Level History coursework for Edexcel using ideas, resources, examples and structure. This coursework is weighted towards Assessment Objective Three (AO3) 15% and Assessment Objective One (AO1) 5%. This makes it substantially different from coursework assessed under AQA or OCR. For Edexcel coursework, the focus is on differing interpretations of the past and analysis of them, alongside your own view of the events.

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – Ideas, Examples and Resources

Question Format – The question that you decide to answer for the Edexcel Coursework will always use the following template.

• Historians have disagreed about [ the chosen question, problem or issue ].
• What is your view about [ the chosen question, problem or issue ]?

Thus, we can see that there are two parts to this coursework:

• Part 1 – dealing with the historian’s viewpoints which is (AO3) and worth 15%
• Part 2 – your own viewpoint which is (A01) and worth 5%  

Question Ideas, Example and Selection

There are two key points to consider when selecting a question, problem or issue for your coursework.

• Is there enough debate around this question? – There needs to be a scholarly debate around the question or issue. This means differing views on the question from different historians. This makes it easier to select appropriate works to analyse and compare.
• Can you access the appropriate resources? – You must use a minimum of three different key works as well as two supplementary works. Your three key works should hold opposing views about the question or issue. Let’s look at an example question to make this clear:

Historians have disagreed about the extent to which by 1924 the Russian people had exchanged one authoritarian regime for another. What is your view about the extent to which by 1924 the Russian people had exchanged one authoritarian regime for another?

• View 1 – Tsarist Rule was more authoritarian. (C. Hill argues this)
• View 2 – Bolshevik rule was more authoritarian. (R. Service argues this)
• View 3 – The regimes were equally authoritarian. (R. Pipes argues this)

This is the ideal example of having three viewpoints that would be spread across the historiographical spectrum. This helps us to engage with the historical debate and hit the following criteria for the coursework:

• analyse ways in which interpretations of the question or issue differ.
• explain the differences you have identified.
• evaluate the arguments, indicating which you found most persuasive and why.

You would then add to this a minimum of two supplementary works, (more is better) that would assist in helping you form your view and add weight to your analysis and arguments. Critically, you must be able to access all these resources to use them effectively in completing the coursework.  

Coursework Resources

• Library – school, local, college, university – you should be able to borrow appropriate works.
• Teacher – your teacher should be able to provide you with copies of appropriate resources to use.
• JSTOR – www.jstor.org – contains a large collection of journal articles from historical publications covering numerous topics. These will often engage in the historical debate by replying to opposing views.
• Purchase Books – many second-hand books are available to purchase at very cheap prices through Amazon or similar sites.

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – How to Research and Write

Researching the Coursework – When researching our coursework we use the resource record form, which acts as a bibliography to the books, articles and online resources we are using. As we go through these resources we want to make notes that help us to identify the overall argument of the historian. Key quotes or passages should be noted down, alongside a reference. If we then use this material in our write up, we can add the appropriate footnote.

Writing the Coursework – When writing our coursework we need to be aware of the total word count as well as making sure that we hit all the assessment criteria. This means dividing up the 4000 words (maximum word count) effectively between the assessment criteria. An example structure to implement this is shown in the next section.

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – Structure and Planning

First section – introduction to the overall question and key works (c. 1000 words).

Introduction to the overall topic. You need to put the question into context by providing relevant information regarding what was happening at the time. You then need to define any key terms in the question.

Example from our question above – authoritarian regime would be defined as ‘a regime in which power is highly centralised and maintained regardless of popular support, with the use of repression and violence’.

Finally, you need to set out valid criteria by which the question can be judged.

Example from our question and definition above – we need to compare the Tsarist regime to the Bolshevik regime in terms of:

• Centralisation of power .
• Power maintained despite lacking popular support.
• Power maintained through repression and violence.

You should now have a complete introduction to the topic (1 paragraph)

Introduction to the debate by placing each of the key works in the historiographical debate. You can also place your supplementary works on the historiographical line here. (1 paragraph)

Set out the arguments in extended detail from the three key works. What are the historians’ views on this question? (1 paragraph)

Show how the arguments from each of the key works differ or are like one another. (1 paragraph)

Summary of the views of the key works. (1 paragraph)

Second Section – Explaining why the key works differ from one another (c. 1000 words)

Introduction – You need to set out three valid criteria to explain why the key works differ. Why is it that the historians’ arguments differ? There are several different potential criteria that could be used here: When was the work written? What sources and evidence did they use? Have they defined the key terms of the question differently? Have they defined the criteria to answer the question differently? Do they have different scopes of enquiry? What is the purpose of the work? What is the historians background and view?

Example from our question – The historians have defined the key term to answer the question differently – C. Hill has focused on authoritarian being defined as lacking popular support. R. Service is more focused on authoritarian being defined through repression. R. Pipes is mostly focused on authoritarian being defined as a centralisation of power.  

The historians have defined the key term ‘authoritarian’ differently. (1 paragraph)    

Paragraphs – This is where you use the criteria set out from the introduction to this section. You want one paragraph per item of criteria that we are judging the key works on.

Example from our question – one paragraph regarding how the historians have defined the key term ‘authoritarian’ differently.

Then you need to consider the three works in terms of the criteria set out for that paragraph. Show why there are differences in the key works regarding that criteria and how that leads the historian to arrive at their interpretation. Use evidence to support your points. (3 paragraphs – 1 for each criterion)

Conclusion – Brief conclusion that offers a summary of why the key works are different. (1 paragraph)

Third Section – Your own viewpoint on the question (c. 1000 words)

Brief introduction of your own viewpoint and line of argument that will be taken, remembering to re-instate the criteria by which the question can be judged . (1 paragraph)

Paragraphs that set out your own view on the question. This is where you should be using the criteria set out in your introductions. You want one paragraph per item of criteria.

Example from our question – one paragraph regarding ‘centralisation of power’.

Then you need to bring evidence and analysis to assess the criteria being judged. You can also use the key works and the supplementary works in this section to help you. (3 paragraphs – 1 for each criterion)

Conclusion that reaches a judgement on the question and follows your line of argument that has flowed throughout. (1 paragraph)

Fourth Section – Evaluation and Judgement of the key works and of the question (c. 1000 words)

Go through each of the key works and make a judgement on how convincing and valid the arguments from the historians are compared to the criteria. (3 paragraphs – 1 for each key work)

Form an overall judgement on the question and an overall judgement on which of the key works is most convincing. These should broadly align together. (1 paragraph)   

How To Improve Further at A Level History

Pass A Level History – is our sister site, which shows you step by step, how to most effectively answer any A Level History extract, source or essay question. Please click the following link to visit the site and get access to your free preview lesson. www.passalevelhistory.co.uk

Previous and Next Blog Posts

Previous – A Level History Essay Structure – A Guide passhistoryexams.co.uk/a-level-history-essay-structure/

Next – A Level History Coursework AQA – A Guide passhistoryexams.co.uk/a-level-history-coursework-aqa/

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.