History After GCSE? |
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Many students thoroughly enjoy GCSE History and achieve exam grades which they are justifiably proud of.
This page is to help you if you are thinking about taking AS Level History.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How is GCSE different to AS Level?
Do you think I can do AS Level History?
Will an AS Level (or A Level) in History help me with my career?
What kind of things would I study in AS Level (or A Level) History?
What other AS Level subjects would you recommend?
What if I take the AS Level course and then find I don't like it?
Where can I find out more information? |
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Please remember to let us know how you get on after your GCSE results - perhaps your comments could help someone else reach a decision about whether to take AS Level History. |
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How is GCSE different to AS Level? |
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| It is important to remember that AS Level History is a higher standard than GCSE and may be taught in a very different way. Students will probably be expected to read widely and to be more independent learners than when doing GCSE - making notes, researching information and taking much more responsibility for organising their own learning and revision. Back to FAQ |
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| Do you think I can do AS Level History? |
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| If you enjoyed the GCSE course and are likely to get a high grade you will probably do well. It is important to be able to organise things for yourself (e.g. your revision), to enjoy reading, and be prepared to write longer essays than you were required to do at GCSE. You also need to be somebody who does not give up easily. Most students who complete AS Level History have a number of 'A*', 'A' or 'B' grades at GCSE. If the only thing you enjoyed about GCSE History was playing 'Word Bingo' or 'Interactive Whiteboard Pictionary' then AS Level History is probably not for you! Remember that even if AS Level History is not for you, there are lots of ways you can continue to develop your interest in History - perhaps by joining a local History society, taking part in an archaeological dig, reading or watching TV programs about the periods you are interested in or taking an AS Level subject which has some links to History. Back to FAQ |
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| Will an AS Level (or A Level) in History help me with my career? |
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| If you are pursuing a particular career (e.g. in medicine, the armed services, or journalism) you might wonder how relevant History is going to be. The best thing to do is to find out what kind of AS Levels or A Levels are required for your chosen career. Usually there will be some AS Levels or A Levels which will help you to gain a place at University for your chosen career, and some that you are free to choose for yourself. History is a highly prized qualification because it is seen as rigorous, academic and requiring a high level of thinking and writing skills. Universities and employers will recognise this. History is often associated particularly with careers in medicine and law. Even if you only gain an AS Level your result will still count towards your points total for university. If you think there is another subject you could achieve higher grades in then you will need to balance this against your enjoyment of History and its reputation as an 'academic' subject. Back to FAQ |
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| What kind of things would I study in AS Level (or A Level) History? |
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| Unlike GCSE you may be given a choice of syllabus according to the period of History which you are most interested in. At Prior Pursglove, for example, you would be offered a choice of studying Early Modern History or Modern History. At AS Level the Early Modern History course covers events in the Sixteenth Century such as how much power Henry VII had, why Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon and what the causes of the German reformation were. The Modern History course covers the reasons which led up to the end of the British Empire, The extent of Civil Rights achieved in the USA between 1945 and 1968 and Hitler's control of Germany during Nazi Rule. If you think that you will probably go on to do A Level you will probably want to check out what topics you would go on to study. Both Early Modern History and Modern History have an individual assignment to be completed to achieve the A Level - you research and plan your answer and then write your assignment in an exam. You also study 2 further topics (one of which is a coursework module if you choose the Early Modern History option). Back to FAQ |
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| What other AS Level subjects would you recommend? |
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| A number of students who enjoyed History at school have gone on to enjoy other subjects at AS Level because they are closely linked to the skills which they have developed. Remember that there are more subjects on offer than there were at GCSE so don't just concentrate on subjects you have studied at school. Many students have enjoyed the Classical Civilisations Course at Prior Pursglove because it gives them the opportunity to find out more about the Ancient World including literature (Epic Poetry), Greek Drama and Roman Britain. Other students have particularly enjoyed Government & Politics. If you take this course you have an opportunity to find out how Parliament and other aspects of government work (AS Level) and how the government of the UK is different to that of the USA (A Level). Back to FAQ |
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| What if I take the AS Level course and then find I don't like it? |
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| It isn't a good idea to start the AS Level course and then give up because this means that you lose out on a subject which could gain you some useful points to go to University. Try to persevere, because on the Modern History Course particularly, some Huntcliff students have said that the first unit is the least intersting - afterwards it's great! It's always a good idea to talk to other people if you're finding it tough - perhaps other people on your course, your parents, your tutor, or your GCSE teachers when you were at school. Remember that every course has interesting and less interesting bits, and that at first it will take you a while to get used to the different style of teaching and level of work expected at AS Level rather than GCSE. Back to FAQ |
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| Where can I find out more information? |
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| Why not visit the Prior Pursglove website at www.pursglove.ac.uk?.... Back to FAQ |
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