AS students must take assessments in both of the following components, in the same series.
- Component 1: Breadth study
- Component 2: Depth study
Students must:
- study the history of more than one country
- study a British history option for Component 1 or 2
- study a non-British history option for Component 1 or 2
Subject content
Component 1: Breadth Study
1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1149
1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1547
1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1649
1F Industrialisation and the People: Britain, c1783–1832
1G Challenge and Transformation: Britain, c1851–1914
1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1917
1J The British Empire, c1857–1914
1K The Making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1920
1L The Quest for Political Stability: Germany, 1871–1929
Component 2: Depth Study
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1189
2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1471
2D Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1547
2E The English Revolution, 1625–1642
2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1776
2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1861
2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1926
2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1929
2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–1929
2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1933
2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1962
2Q The American Dream: Reality and Illusion, 1945–1963
2R The Cold War, c1945–1963
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–1979
Assessments
Component 1: Breadth study |
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What's assessed The first part of the corresponding full A-level option. This involves the study of significant historical developments over a period of around 50 years and associated historical interpretations. |
Assessed - written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Two questions (one compulsory)
- 50 marks
- 50% of AS
|
Questions - two sections
- Section A – one compulsory question linked to interpretations (25 marks)
- Section B – one question from two (25 marks)
|

Component 2: Depth study |
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What's assessed The first part of the corresponding full A-level option. This involves the study in depth of a major historical change or development and associated primary evidence |
Assessed - written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Two questions (one compulsory)
- 50 marks
- 50% of AS
|
Questions - two sections
- Section A – one compulsory question linked to primary sources or sources contemporary to the period (25 marks)
- Section B – one question from two (25 marks)
|
Prohibited Combinations
Students must study a British history option for either Component 1 or Component 2. If a British history option is chosen for Component 1, it must be combined with a non-British option for Component 2. If a British history option is chosen for Component 2, it must be combined with a non-British option for Component 1. Any British option may be combined with any non-British option.
The following are designated British history options :
Component 1
1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1547
1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1649
1F Industrialisation and the People: Britain, c1783–1832
1G Challenge and Transformation: Britain, c1851–1914
1J The British Empire, c1857–1914
Component 2
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1189
2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1471
2D Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1547
2E The English Revolution, 1625–1642
2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1929
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–1979