History

Exam Board: AQA

In History you will cover four exciting and varied topics:

• Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship: experience a dramatic time during which Hitler came to power and plunged Germany and the world into war. You will explore how Hitler kept the support of many Germans whilst killing millions including the Jews.
• Elizabeth I, c1568-1603: Experience the last 35 years of Good Queen Bess. Live through the Golden Age and learn about some of the biggest problems faced by one of the most powerful women in British history.
• The People’s Health: ‘Horrible History’ at its best: blood, guts and gore! You will explore surgery and treatment, become aid workers, disease hunters and medical experts.
• Conflict and Tension: The Inter-War Years 1918-39: Investigate why, after the devastation of World War One, a Second World War broke out just 20 years later. Discover the difficulties facing the peacemakers at the end of the war in 1918, the failure and collapse of the League of Nations and the tension caused by Hitler’s actions in the 1930s which all contributed to another World War.

History is full of transferable skills, such as the ability to conduct research using different types of tools, the capacity to be a problem solver, the inspiration to be a creative thinker, an understanding of different people and societies, the skills to argue a case and to express your ideas clearly, essential debating, communication and ICT skills, and additional communication skills, such as negotiating, questioning and summarising.

History has been voted one of the top transferable subjects by Oxbridge universities. Careers include an advertising executive, an accountant, an analyst, an archivist, an archaeologist, a broadcaster, a business professional, an explorer, a diplomat, a campaign worker, a consultant, an editor, a foreign service officer, an intelligence agent, a journalist, a lawyer, a lecturer, a legal assistant, a manager, a politician, a public relations officer, a teacher, a social worker and many more.

Assessment

100% examination — two exams each worth 50% of overall grade.

Paper 1 – Germany and Conflict and Tension: Inter-War Years 1918-39; Paper 2 – Elizabeth c1568-c1603 and The People’s Health.