AS/A2
Studying GCE History will give you the opportunity to explore key political, economic and social events which have helped shape our world today. It will build upon your understanding of the past and ability to make links and draw comparisons with or across different periods and aspects of the past.
Q. Why study History?
By studying GCE History you will be able to build upon your knowledge and understanding of past events and the impact on those events on our world today. This in turn gives you a better understanding of the consequences of past actions on civilisations and a greater empathy for people of different cultures today.
History is much more than reading about past events. This course can help develop and deploy a range of important skills such as collecting and evaluating information, independent thought, weighing up the evidence that you have found and putting a case together to support your conclusions.
Q. What will I study?
There are two units at AS and two at A2. In each of the units at AS and A2, there are a number of options and you will study one option in each unit.
| Unit | Assessment | Weighting | Availability |
| AS 1: Historical Investigations and Historical InterpretationsOption 5: Germany 1918-1945
|
1 hr 30 min external examination paper | 50% of AS 25% of A2 | January and Summer |
| AS 2: Conflict andChange in EuropeOption 3: Challenge and Crisis in Ireland1821-1867
|
1 hr 30 min external examination paper | 50% of AS 25% of A2 | January and Summer |
| A2 1: Change Over TimeOption 4: Unionism and Nationalism in Ireland 1800-1900 | 1 hr 15 min external examination paper1 essay question | 20% of A Level | January and Summer |
| A2 2: Historical Investigations and Interpretations
Option 4: Partition of Ireland 1900-1925 |
2 hr external examination paper: one question set in the context of an historical enquiry which includes the use of sources and oneessay question | 30% of A Level | Summer only |
AS 1
In AS 1, you will investigate specific historical questions using sources, information and reaching validated conclusions.
Option 5: Germany 1918-1945
AS 2: In the AS 2 unit, you will study significant individuals, societies, events, developments and issues.
Option 3: Challenge and Crisis in Ireland 1821-1867
A2 1: In A2 1, you will study change and/or development, making links and drawing comparisons across different aspects of the period studied.
Option 4: Unionism and Nationalism in Ireland 1800-1900
A2 2: In A2 2 you will investigate specific historical questions through sources, using information and reaching substantiated conclusions.
Option 4: Partition of Ireland 1900-1925
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/irishhistorylive/
Q. What can I do with a qualification in History?
Through following this course, you will have the opportunity to develop skills that are transferable and are highly sought after by employers. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and increase your self-confidence through researching, organising information, having a questioning approach to the evidence before you, arguing a case, reaching balanced conclusions based on the evidence and writing in a clear and coherent way. These are skills which are highly desired by employers and will help you in further education, to succeed in your chosen career as well as in everyday life.
History can open up a wide range of opportunities for further and higher education and interesting and rewarding careers, for example in the media, politics, library or information work, writing or editorial work, teaching, lecturing, business or the civil service.
An interest in history may direct you to a perhaps a more specialist career as an archaeologist, archivist working in a record office, historical researcher, solicitor, barrister, museum curator or genealogist.
