History (OCR)

Studying History is stimulating, challenging and invaluable and at Sexey’s we are passionate about our subject.  From the bloodshed of the Wars of the Roses to Stalin’s purges, History teaches you to be critical of the information you are fed and helps you to develop a better understanding of the world around you.  Importantly, it is also an extremely well regarded subject by top universities and employers.

In recent years, students who studied History went on to undergraduate courses in: History, Law, Journalism, Drama, International Relations, War Studies, and Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE).

A Level

Component 1 (Y105): England 1445-1509                      

(Specific enquiry topic: Wars of the Roses)

One essay from a choice of two on the reigns of Edward IV, Richard III and Henry VII, 1461-1509 and the critical assessment of contemporary source material on the Wars of the Roses.

Assessment: Written exam, 1 hour 30 mins, 25% of A Level

Component 2 (Y221): Democracy & Dictatorships in Germany 1919-1963

One two-part question including a ‘period study’ style essay question and a shorter answer on the relative significance of two events.

Assessment: Written exam, 1 hour, 15% of A Level

Component 3 (Y318): Russia and its Rulers 1855-1964    

A thematic study that involves writing two essays on events over a 100-year period and one critical evaluation of historians’ interpretations of named events.

Assessment: Written exam, 2 hours 30 mins, 40% of A Level

Component 4: Independent Topic Essay on the causes of WWI Controversy (source analysis)

Assessment: A single 3,000 – 4,000 word research essay (internally assessed), 20% of A Level

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Five GCSEs at Grade 5 or above, including Grade 5 in GCSE History (if taken as a GSCE option).

Updated September 2023