This course starts with an in-depth study of the rise and fall of fascism in Italy from 1911 to 1946.  This will be followed by a overview study of Germany and West Germany from the First World War to the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

In the second year, students will study the British Empire from the 1760s to the outbreak of the First World War, including the American Wars of Independence and the colonisation of India, Canada and Australia.

History lessons are varied and active.  Activities which regularly take place are debates, role plays, presentations, research and decision making games.  The department has a rich collection of resources including a photo archive, music CDs, videos, a range of computer based activities and revision games.  However, students will also be expected to study on their own by reading and taking notes.  There are frequent opportunities to go on field trips or to conferences and a residential study visit is usually offered for early modern and modern students every other year.

This is a new-style linear A level course.  You will NOT be entered for an external AS exam at the end of the first year.  In the second year of the course, you will take external exams that assess content covered in the first and second year.  These exams (along with coursework) will determine your A level grade.

All history courses include one coursework unit and three examined units.  The coursework will be an extended essay completed independently with some teacher guidance.  This will require you to research a topic on your own using books and articles found in the library or from the online archive.  The examination will require you to demonstrate a mixture of evidence and essay writing skills.

• Super curricular group for History and related subjects at university;
• Oxbridge personal statement and admissions test support;
• Lessons from Auschwitz Project gives at least two students a chance to engage in a high level project on the Holocaust;
• Italian Studies Extension project - supported by Royal Holloway and the University of Catania, around 20 students every year sign up for this two year extension project.  Over the two years students on the program have to complete 3 projects: curating a one day show at Tate Modern; completing the chosen area of study with our sister school students who are visiting from Sicily; and, in the second year, undertake a four day study exchange in Ragusa, Sicily;
• Visiting lecturers from university professors every year - last year Professor Jonathan Phillips talked to the students about the female leaders in the Middle East during the time of the Crusades and Dr Emily Steinhauer talked to second year students about resistance and protest against government in Germany during the 20th Century. 

Almost any combination is possible. Knowledge of philosophy, politics, religious studies, economics and literature can all be especially useful for the study of History.  The most popular combinations are with English literature, politics, maths and psychology but there have also been many successful scientists taking the course in recent years.

History is a firmly established and respected academic subject.  It is accepted by all higher education establishments as a suitable qualification for a wide variety of degree courses.  It is also useful for those considering a range of careers such as law, local government, management, the police, research, banking, the media teaching, and museum and archive work.

Please see below for careers and labour market information for history - use the refresh buttons to find out about different courses and careers, and use the left and right arrows to view more detailed information.

You can find the prep work for this course at prepwork.farnborough.ac.uk. 

Q: Do I need to have studied history at GCSE? 
A: No, it is not necessary to have studied History at GCSE if you want to study modern history at A level.  However, if you have not studied GCSE history we would require your English language and literature grades to be at least a 6 if you would like to choose the subject at A Level.

Q:  Is there coursework and if so how much is it worth in terms of grades? 
A:  History does still include coursework.  This comprises a 4000 word essay on the causes of World War One which is completed mainly in the second year.  It is worth 20% of the final grade.

Q:  How much reading does history require? 
A:  This is a reading heavy subject that requires a lot of reading outside of lessons.  If this is something that interests you or that you think you will find enjoyable then you will be well suited for the subject.

Q:  How is history assessed? 
A:  Assessment is carried out primarily through essay writing.

Q:  What are lessons like? 
A:  We try to keep the lessons as varied as possible.  Lessons will usually require you to have done some pre-reading of material that will then be discussed in class.  You would normally discuss your ideas with fellow classmates and the teacher to develop your understanding.  Lessons might require some quiet reading or more interactive aspects working with other students.  There will also usually be time to look at revision techniques or essay questions.  Basically, there are lots of skills, ideas and concepts that we are constantly studying and discussing, so hopefully every lesson is a bit different.