Studying A level history

Studying history can be an exciting and enlightening experience, but it requires hard work and dedication – many students say they spend more time working or studying history than any of their other subjects, yet they sometimes get lower marks. This is because after GCSE, the study of history requires you to understand, interpret and analyse the information you have rather than just learn it by heart.

The information on these pages has been put together over four years from work done with AS and A Level students with the purpose of providing a quick reference and strategies on studying history. You will find links and ideas to help you improve your grade, as well as prepare you for the study of history if you decide to take it at university.

The history jump from GCSE to University
The table below compares the study of history at GCSE and university. The gap is huge, but it is not impossible to bridge. The information contained on this site will help you make that leap. Unfortunately, the study techniques for GCSE exams are quite different to how you actually study the subject at university, but the skills you develop while mastering the exam technique will help you succeed later on.

GCSE	University
One text book may be enough to do well	More than one book is needed and often you have to find it yourself
Exams have short recall questions	Exams are essay-based and you must prove/discuss a point
Narrative (telling the story) is important	Analysis, interpretation and evaluation (saying why something happened and its consequences) are important
Teachers give feedback on coursework before the final version is handed in	The mark you get is final and you get no help to make sure you understand the question

Please choose from the following options:

Sources

Primary and secondary sources and what to look for.

Using sources

References, bibliography and plagiarism.

Complex topics

Strategies for dealing with complex topics.

Reading around the topic

Information and suggesstions for broadening your focus.

Internet sources

Information and links

Textbooks

Why isn't there one specific textbook?

Newspapers, cartoons and photos

How to use and evaluate these sources

Historiography

The history of history writing.

Specifications

Links to the different exam boards and thier requirements.

Exam questions

Using past papers to guide your studies

Word of caution: There are so many topics to study in history, finding information can be more or less difficult. For example, if you study Nazi Germany and do an internet or library search, you will find pages upon pages of information; whereas if you do a search on Britain 1951-1953 you will find very little. Searching for either has its own problems: from what is suitable to what is the basic information.

This site concentrates on strategies and examples that you can apply to the topic you’re studying. If you have an idea that you would like to share with others, please email us at: EGfLWebTeam@ealing.gov.uk