SUBJECT

History

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For September 2026

What are lessons like in this subject?

Studying AQA A-level History is challenging but fascinating, especially with topics like the British Empire, Revolution and Dictatorship (Russia), and the Tudors. You'll explore how the British Empire expanded and impacted the world, examine revolutionary change in Russia from the fall of the Tsars to Stalin’s dictatorship, and study the political and religious shifts under Tudor monarchs. The course develops your analytical and essay-writing skills as you evaluate sources and interpretations. You’ll also complete a Non-Exam Assessment (coursework), allowing independent research. It’s a content-heavy subject, but ideal if you enjoy debate, understanding power and change, and linking past events to today.

What will I study?

Paper 1 - The British Empire, 1857–1967. This unit assesses the rise and fall of the British Empire, allowing students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence. The following themes are explored:

Imperial policy.
Expansion and Contraction of Empire.
Trade and Commerce.
Attitudes to Empire.
Relations with indigenous peoples.

Paper 2 - Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953. This unit enables students to study Russia in depth, considering issues of political authority, the power of individuals and the inter-relationship of governmental, economic and social change.

The end of Tsarism in Russia.
The establishment of the Communist dictatorship.
Stalin’s rise to power.
Stalin’s rule in the 1930s.
The Great Patriotic War.

The NEA – Tudor Rebellions, 1485-1569. The coursework requires students to investigate the Tudor century and assess the causes of rebellions against the five Tudor monarchs. Students will create and develop, through research, their own arguments and present these findings in an extended piece of critical writing.

What our
students
say

My history lessons are incredibly interesting and engaging, allowing me to develop my critical thinking and research skills. Studying Britain's imperial past has allowed me to appreciate the profound impact made by Britain on the modern world and the origins of our multi-cultural society.

Abi Wade, Castleford Academy