aqa history a level coursework percentage

How Hard is A-Level History?

In A-Level by Think Student Editor March 22, 2023 3 Comments

When choosing your A-Level options, you want to make sure you have options that suit your future career plans but are also manageable. A-Level History is a subject that can take you down several paths, from History, to English, to Law, to Economics and other subjects. However, being so well respected, many students think A-Level History must be quite difficult.

This article will take you through how difficult A-Level History is, how difficult the exams are, and other statistics about A-Level History, so keep reading for all you need to know.

Disclaimer: A-Level difficulty is subjective and depends on the personal ability of the student. What one student may find challenging, another student may face less difficulty with, and vice versa. This article is based on the writer’s experience as a student who studied GCSE and A-Level History.

Table of Contents

How hard is it to pass A-Level History?

Keep reading further in the article for exact statistics on how many people pass A-Level History. However, as a general answer, it isn’t too difficult to pass A-Level History .

To pass, you need some basic subject knowledge and a few facts, with a somewhat coherent argument . However, it’s obviously better to try and achieve a better grade than just a pass, so try your hardest in the exams!

How hard is it to get an A*?

Later in the article, I’ll be providing statistics for how many students achieved an A* in A-Level History in the past few years, so keep reading for the exact information.

Generally, it is quite hard to achieve an A* in A-Level History . You will need a lot of subject-specific knowledge and facts, and a coherent and sophisticated argument/writing style.

What is the A-Level History pass rate?

Provided by JCQ , the pass rate for A-Level History for 2022, 2021 and 2019 was 87.8%, 91.2%, and 81% respectively . From the statistics, you can see that A-Level History is not too difficult to pass.

However, it’s better to try and aim for higher grades . If university courses require A-Level History, most universities will ask for a grade B or A , which less people achieve. Make sure to try your hardest and aim for the best grade!

How many students get A* in A-Level History?

Below is a table for the number of students who achieved an A* from 2019-2022 (excluding 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic preventing exams from being sat in-person).

As you can see from the table, only a select handful of students achieve an A* in A-Level History. However, it is definitely possible, so work hard for it and you can get there!

How much content is there in A-Level History?

In short, there is a lot of content to learn for A-Level History, and many students regard it as one of the most content-intense A-Level subjects .

For this reason, A-Level History was named as one of the hardest A-Level subjects in this Think Student article, which I recommend checking out if you’re undecided about your A-Level options.

How hard are A-Level History exams?

A-Level History exams are generally quite hard.

You have to know a lot of broad and specific knowledge across a wide range of historical periods, and exams can be 2-3 hours long . Staying focused for such a long period can be quite a strain, so quite a lot of students struggle with the exams.

However, with lots of revision and preparation, they are certainly do-able! During my A-Level History exams, I made sure to take 2–3-minute writing breaks and have fresh water with me , so I’d recommend the same.

How are A-Level History exams structured?

The exam structure for A-Level History depends on the exam board your school follows . However, across all the exam boards, each module for A-Level History has its own paper.

These exams range from 1hr 30mins to 3 hours long . There are 2 or 3 questions, usually essays of 25 marks or more, per exam.

What is in the A-Level History syllabus?

The A-Level History syllabus is a list of several different topics (historical periods), and your school chooses which modules students sit.

However, there’s a general structure for the course across the exam boards. I’ll give you a breakdown of the AQA, OCR, and Edexcel courses.

For AQA A-Level History, students have 2 modules: a breadth study and a depth study, one of which must be a British history option . The breadth study and depth study each have a 1hr 30min exam with 2 25-mark questions. The full specification is linked here .

For OCR A-Level History, students have 3 modules: a British period study (worth 25% of the A-Level), a non-British period study (worth 15%), and a thematic study with historical interpretation (worth 40%) . The full specification is linked here .

For Edexcel A-Level History, students have 3 modules: a breadth study with historical interpretation, a depth study, and “themes in breadth with aspects in depth”. The full specification is linked here .

Each of the modules has a list of different topics for schools to choose from, so the periods you study will be specific to your school.

Does A-Level History have coursework?

For AQA, OCR and Edexcel, A-Level History does have coursework. The coursework modules across the exam boards are all worth 20% of the total A-Level.

AQA, OCR and Edexcel A-Level History coursework is a 3500-4500-word historical investigation on a topic of your choice (but it must be approved by your school).

What are the entry requirements for A-Level History?

A-Level History doesn’t have an official entry requirement set by exam boards. However, since A-Level History has a heavy workload and requires quite a bit of dedication, schools will often have their own entry requirements.

Most schools recommend that you must have achieved a 6 in GCSE History to take the subject at A-Level . These are different for every school, so this might be lower or higher, but GCSE grade 6 is the most common.

While you can take A-Level History without having sat GCSE History, this is generally not recommended because of how hard A-Level History is .

How many students take A-Level History?

Based on the official government website statistics, in 2022 42,885 students took A-Level History, a 3.1% increase from the previous year .

Over the years, the number of students choosing to take A-Level History has fluctuated. From 2018-2022, the number of students who chose to take A-Level History peaked at almost 47,500 students in 2019 and was lowest in 2020 at 41,120 students .

All these statistics are available on this page of the UK government website.

How hard is A-Level History compared to GCSE History?

Based purely on the grade distribution for GCSE and A-Level history in 2022, A-Level History and GCSE History seem equal in difficulty. The grade bracket with the highest number of results was a B in A-Level History (31.7%), and a grade 6 at GCSE (14.7%).

Ofqual has statistics for grade distribution for A-Level and GCSE History, linked here and here .

However, as a student who has studied both GCSE and A-Level History, I would say that A-Level History is definitely harder, based on the workload and the depth of knowledge required to achieve the top grades .

I personally had to revise a lot more for A-Level History than GCSE History, because there were so many more facts I had to remember.

Which subjects does A-Level History go well with?

A-Level History is a well-respected subject because of its difficulty, which you can read about in this Think Student article. Therefore, it can work well with Humanities and STEM subjects , depending on which field you want to go in to.

A-Level History is better if you want to enter a Humanities field, because it works with a larger range of subjects . Some of the best A-Level combinations with History are English, Geography, Modern Languages, Classics and Politics.

However, A-Level History can also work with STEM subjects . If you want to enter a STEM field, some good subjects to go with A-Level History include Economics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths .

This Think Student article has a list of 17 A-Level combinations, some including history, that I’d recommend checking out.

This appears to be a very subjective piece of “advice”offered as fact. Studying History would actually allow you to challenge propaganda such as this which appears to be written by someone who does not like history and finds it boring. Theythen write a piece suggesting everyone should agree. ALL A levels are challenging. ALL A levels have lots of information and suggesting that this is particularly true of History suggests some lack of understanding of the education process from the writer. If you are going to offer advice could there be an attempt to be more impartial and actually useful?

Hi there J, Firstly, I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t find this student’s opinion informative. The content listed on this site is written by students who each have their own unique opinion that some will agree with and some will not. We do not aim to present the information displayed on this site as absolute fact as many of the topics we discuss can’t be narrowed to simple quantitative arguments and we try to be as transparent as humanly possible. Due to this, I have now ensured that a disclaimer is now displayed on the sidebar of every single …  Read more »

“you never explain what happened in a historical event.” There are literally questions that ask you how far something happened or to what extent you need to explain!

History Coursework: how to Choose the Best Question

• Dr Janet Rose
• June 13, 2020

So, just when you thought your first A-level History year was over and you could relax before tackling next year, you have to think about your history coursework. This will be the non-exam assessment (NEA) or Historical Investigation.  It can cause a lot of angst amongst students but taking some time and thinking it through carefully before you start can make the world of difference.

1. Choose to study something interesting for your history coursework

If you have the chance to choose whichever topic you like for your history coursework and set your own question, or if you are given a list of different topics, choose one you are genuinely interested in. You will be working on this piece for months, so it makes sense to choose something that will hold your interest.

2. Make sure there are no clashes with your other topics

In practice, there are constraints set by the various exam boards to make sure that your topic does not overlap with the components you are already studying for your A level or Pre U. Your exam centre (school, college or independent centre) will need to have your question approved by the exam board and they will not approve a topic with an obvious overlap. For example, if you are already studying the Tudors for AQA, it is unlikely that you can  study a topic set in England between 1485 to 1603. Therefore, if you are setting your own question, ask yourself if it overlaps in date or topic with one of your components. If it does, you will need to find an alternative. Each exam board has slightly different rules, so check on their website to see what the rules are for your exam board.

3. Find your source material early

For your history coursework, you will need to find two types of source material – primary and secondary:

P rimary sources are those that were written at the time and you will also need to find a range of these to support your investigation. To achieve high marks you should look for a variety of primary sources, for example, a letter, a report, a painting, a speech etc.

Secondary sources are scholarly books or articles by historians, or what the a-level exam boards call ‘interpretations.’ this means that your investigation will only be viable if historians have written about the topic and, preferably, argued over it. you will need to understand the arguments that provide a framework for your chosen topic. historians call this the historiography..

Therefore, the question you set yourself will only be able to achieve high marks if you make sure there are both secondary sources (scholarly argument) and primary sources (original material) to support your investigation. If you cannot find these, you should re-think your question.

4. Remember you actually have to answer the question!

It sounds really obvious – but remember that you actually have to answer the question you set yourself!  You need to choose something that is achievable in the time frame and gives you a good chance of success. A good question will give you a framework within which to research and write – you are looking for something that is not too vague nor too wide.

You also need something that you can address in the historical time frame (e.g. around 100 years for AQA) and a topic that you can analyse and evaluate in approximately 3, 500 words (check the word limit for your own exam board). In practice, any question that is too wide, too vague or unlikely to be achievable should be vetoed either by your school/college/independent centre or the exam board. However, this will waste your valuable time and is not totally foolproof, so choose an achievable project to give yourself a fighting chance of achieving that elusive A grade.

5. Choose a good format for your history coursework question

The standard ‘for and against’ question format will always be a good choice and will give you a framework within which to set your investigation. There are various ways to word such a question e.g. ‘How far…’, To what extent…’ ‘Within the context of … how important was…’ which will give you a clear framework and a direction for your investigation. Keep it simple is good advice here. Remember, though, to define your framework by including the date range in your question. For example ‘Within the context of 1790 to 1890, how important was…?’

Done well, the NEA or Personal Investigation will teach you a huge amount about how historians work, how sources are used and how to construct an argument. This will help you enormously when you come to the final exams and it can be a very valuable contribution to your qualification. It can also be enjoyable as it is your first chance to ‘do’ some real historical research. Choose your question with care and you automatically give yourself a head start.

Exam Board History Coursework Guidance

AQA Guidance

Cambridge Pre U Guidance

OCR Guidance

Edexcel Guidance

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AS and A-level History

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Assessment resources

• Answers and commentaries (102)
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• Examiner reports (37)
• Mark schemes (179)
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• Question papers (286)
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Showing 619 results

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Englightenment, 1682-1796 - Sample set 1 New

Published 14 Mar 2024 | PDF | 1.4 MB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-1570 - Sample set 1 New

Published 9 Feb 2024 | PDF | 823 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871-1991 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 2.3 MB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851-1964 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 3.5 MB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2H France in Revolution, 1774-1815 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 4.7 MB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 5.7 MB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154-1216 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 215 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783-1885 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 244 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 217 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071-1204 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 262 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2R The Cold War, c1945-1991 - Sample set 1

Published 1 Feb 2024 | PDF | 250 KB

Question approval form (A-level): Component 3 NEA Historical investigation 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 81 KB

Centre declaration sheet 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 74 KB

Candidate record form (A-level): Component 3 NEA Historical investigation 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 96 KB

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOC | 520 KB

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 399 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855-1964 - Sample set 1

Published 19 Oct 2023 | PDF | 244 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 - Sample set 1

Published 27 Sep 2023 | PDF | 249 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603-1702 - Sample set 1

Published 27 Sep 2023 | PDF | 253 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Component 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 - Sample set 1

Published 27 Sep 2023 | PDF | 236 KB

AQA A-Level History Past Papers

This section includes recent A-Level History past papers from AQA. You can download each of the AQA A-Level History past papers and marking schemes by clicking the links below.

June 2022 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042)

A-Level History (7042/1A) The Age of Crusades, c1071 - 1204 - Component 1A  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1B) Spain the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 - Component 1B  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1C) The Tudors: England, 1485 -1603 - Component 1C  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1D) Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603 - 1702 - Component 1D  Download Paper      -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1E) Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682 - 1796 - Component 1E Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1F) Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783 -1885 - Component 1F  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1G) Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851 - 1964 - Component 1G  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1H) Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855 - 1964 - Component 1H Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1J) The British Empire, c1857 - 1967 - Component 1J  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1K) The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 - 1975 - Component 1K  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1L) The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871 - 1991 - Component 1L Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2A) Royal Authority of the Angevin Kings, 1154 -1216 - Component 2A  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2B) The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499 - Component 2B  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2C) The Reformation in Europe, c1500-1564 - Component 2C  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2D) Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-c1570 - Component 2D Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2E) The English Revolution, 1625-1660 - Component 2E  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2F) The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643-1715 - Component 2F Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2G) The Birth of the USA, 1760-1801 - Component 2G  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2H) France in Revolution, 1774-1815 - Component 2H  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2J) America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 - Component 2J  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2K) International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890-1941 - Component 2K  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2L) Italy and Fascism, c1900-1945 - Component 2L  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2M) Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957 - Component 2M Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2N) Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 - Component 2N  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2O) Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918-1945 - Component 2O  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2P) The Transformation of China, 1936-1997 - Component 2P  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2Q) The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 - Component 2Q Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2R) The Cold War, 1945-1991 - Component 2R Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2S) The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 - Component 2S  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2T) The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953-200 - Component ST  Download Paper    -    Download Mark Scheme

November 2021 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) (Labelled as June 2021)

November 2020 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) (Labelled as June 2020)

June 2019 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042)

June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042)

A-Level History (7042/1A) The Age of Crusades, c1071 - 1204 - Component 1A  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1B) Spain the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 - Component 1B  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1C) The Tudors: England, 1485 -1603 - Component 1C  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1D) Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603 - 1702 - Component 1D  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1E) Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682 - 1796 - Component 1E Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1F) Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783 -1885 - Component 1F  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1G) Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851 - 1964 - Component 1G  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1H) Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855 - 1964 - Component 1H Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1J) The British Empire, c1857 - 1967 - Component 1J  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1K) The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 - 1975 - Component 1K  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/1L) The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871 - 1991 - Component 1L Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2A) Royal Authority of the Angevin Kings, 1154 -1216 - Component 2A  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2B) The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499 - Component 2B  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2C) The Reformation in Europe, c1500-1564 - Component 2C  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2D) Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-c1570 - Component 2D Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2E) The English Revolution, 1625-1660 - Component 2E  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2F) The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643-1715 - Component 2F Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2G) The Birth of the USA, 1760-1801 - Component 2G  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2H) France in Revolution, 1774-1815 - Component 2H  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2J) America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 - Component 2J  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2K) International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890-1941 - Component 2K  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2L) Italy and Fascism, c1900-1945 - Component 2L  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2M) Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957 - Component 2M Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2N) Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 - Component 2N  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2O) Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918-1945 - Component 2O  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2P) The Transformation of China, 1936-1997 - Component 2P  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2Q) The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 - Component 2Q Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2R) The Cold War, 1945-1991 - Component 2R Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2S) The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 - Component 2S  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level History (7042/2T) The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953-200 - Component ST  Download Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

For more A-Level History past papers from other exam boards  click here .

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

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