edexcel a level history coursework deadline 2021

Edexcel A Level History Past Papers

A complete collection of edexcel a level history past papers. perfect for preparation for upcoming exams. can be used at home for individual learning or within a classroom environment..

It’s time to start preparing for your exams and it’s never been easier with School History. We’ve got hundreds of past papers that are easy to use, come with mark schemes, and are specifically tailored to each specific examination board, so you can get the most from your revision time and enter your examination feeling confident and fully prepared.

Why use past exam papers?

The answer is simple: preparedness. As a A Level student, exams become an important part of your assessment criteria and preparation for A-levels. The use and importance of past papers, therefore, cannot be over-emphasised.

Fill in the blanks

Using past papers are an effective way to establish your strengths and weaknesses so you know where to focus your revision time. Don’t spend hours on a topic you’re familiar with while neglecting an area that needs more time and effort to familiarise yourself with.

Learn effective time management

Proper time management can quite literally mean the difference between passing and failing an exam, even if you know everything that’s required to pass. Your revision time and using past papers is an excellent way to start practicing how to properly manage the time in the exam setting. You’ll be given different styles of questions with different mark allocations, so it’s important to know what’s expected of you and how much time to dedicate to each question, whether its a multiple-choice question, short answer or an essay.

Walk into your exam with confidence

With proper preparation, it’s possible to walk into and out of your exam feeling confident. Confidence is key to performing well as doubt and anxiety can cloud your judgment and affect your ability to think clearly and make the proper decisions. Past papers are the most effective way to familiarise yourself with important terminology, vocabulary, and styles of questions so that you have a solid understanding of what is expected of you to excel in each and every style of question.

Get to know your questions

Remember, some questions will be assessing your knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of a period studied, others will require you to explain and analyse historic events, others will require you to compare and contrast source material and contextualise it in the historic environment, while thematic studies will require you to demonstrate knowledge clearly over centuries while following a particular theme. All of these questions require you to substantiate your answers using facts.

All these questions will be awarded marks in levels, i.e. basic, simple, developed and complex, and short answers and essay questions will also have marks awarded for spelling and grammar. By practicing with past papers you’ll have access to mark schemes, which examiners use to evaluate your responses and you’ll quickly learn how to achieve the most marks while striking the right balance with time management.

Where do I find past papers? Right here, of course! School History has hundreds of examination-style questions to help you practice for your history exams. By signing up, you’ll not only have access to past papers but thousands of resources related to what you’re studying, including notes, activities, quiz questions and more. Let’s dive in! Take a look below at the major examination boards we cover. Give yourself every advantage to excel in your exams and sign up today!

Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers

This section includes recent A-Level and AS History past papers from Pearson Edexcel (9HI0 and 8HI0). You can download each of the Pearson Edexcel A-Level History past papers and marking schemes by clicking the links below.

Pearson Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers June 2022 (9HI0)

2022 A-Level Paper 1 9HI0/1

A- Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1A: The Crusades, c1095 – 1204 

A-level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1B: England 1509– 1603: authority, nation and religion 

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1C: Britain, 1625 – 1701: Conflict, revolution and settlement

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1D: Britain, c1785 – c1870: democracy, protest and reform

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1E: Russia, 1917 – 1991 from Lenin to Yeltsin

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1F: In search of the American Dream: The USA c1917 – 1996

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1G: Germany and West Germany, 1918 - 1989

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1H: Britain transformed, 1918 – 1997

2022 A-Level Paper 2 9HI0/2

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2A.1: Anglo Saxon England and the Anglo- Norman Kingdoms Option 2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry 11, 1154 -89

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2B.1: Luther and The German Reformation, c1515 -55 Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, 1563 -1609 

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2C.1: France in Revolution, 1774 -79 Option 2C.2: Russia in Revolution, 1894 -1924

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2D.1: The Unification of Italy, c1830-1870 Option 2D.2: The Unification of Germany c1840- 1871

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949 -1976 Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949 -1990

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2F.1: India, c1914 -48: the road to independence Option 2F.2: South Africa, 1948 -94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2G.1: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy, c1911 -46 Option 2G.2: Spain, 1930 -78: republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920 -1955: boom, bust and the recovery Option 2H.2: The USA 1955 -92: conformity and challenge 

2022 A-Level Paper 3 (9HI0/3):

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399 - 1509 

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 31: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 33: The Witch Craze in Britain, Europe and North America, c1580 - 1750

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 34: 1 Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society – 2 Poverty, public health and the state in Britain, c1780–1939

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 35: 1 Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 – 2 The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 36: 1 Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 – 2 Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 37: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality and reunited

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 38: 1 The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 – 2 The making of modern China, 1860–1997

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 39: 1 Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 – 2 Mass media and social change in Britain, 1882–2004

Download Past Papers      -      Download Mark Scheme

Pearson Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers November 2021 (9HI0)

2021 A-Level Paper 1 9HI0/1

Download Past Papers       -      Download Mark Scheme

2021 A-Level Paper 2 9HI0/2

2021 A-Level Paper 3 (9HI0/3):

Pearson Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers November 2020 (9HI0)

2020 A-Level Paper 1 9HI0/1

2020 A-Level Paper 2 9HI0/2

2020 A-Level Paper 3 (9HI0/3):

Download Past Papers        -      Download Mark Scheme

The above papers are labelled June 2020

Pearson Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers June 2019 (9HI0)

2019 A-Level Paper 1 9HI0/1

2019 A-Level Paper 2 9HI0/2

2019 A-Level Paper 3 (9HI0/3):

Pearson Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers June 2018 (9HI0)

Paper 1 9HI0/1

A- Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1A: The Crusades, c1095 – 1204  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1B: England 1509– 1603: authority, nation and religion   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1C: Britain, 1625 – 1701: Conflict, revolution and settlement Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1D: Britain, c1785 – c1870: democracy, protest and reform Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1E: Russia, 1917 – 1991 from Lenin to Yeltsin Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1F: In search of the American Dream: The USA c1917 – 1996 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1G: Germany and West Germany, 1918 - 1989 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1H: Britain transformed, 1918 – 1997 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Paper 2 9HI0/2

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2A.1: Anglo Saxon England and the Anglo- Norman Kingdoms Option 2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry 11, 1154 -89 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2B.1: Luther and The German Reformation, c1515 -55 Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, 1563 -1609   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2C.1: France in Revolution, 1774 -79 Option 2C.2: Russia in Revolution, 1894 -1924 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2D.1: The Unification of Italy, c1830-1870 Option 2D.2: The Unification of Germany c1840- 1871 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949 -1976 Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949 -1990 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2F.1: India, c1914 -48: the road to independence Option 2F.2: South Africa, 1948 -94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2G.1: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy, c1911 -46 Option 2G.2: Spain, 1930 -78: republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920 -1955: boom, bust and the recovery Option 2H.2: The USA 1955 -92: conformity and challenge   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3 (9HI0/3):

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399 - 1509   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 31: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 33: The Witch Craze in Britain, Europe and North America, c1580 - 1750 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 34: 1 Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society – 2 Poverty, public health and the state in Britain, c1780–1939 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 35: 1 Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 – 2 The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 36: 1 Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 – 2 Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 37: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality and reunited Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 38: 1 The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 – 2 The making of modern China, 1860–1997 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

A-Level Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 39: 1 Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 – 2 Mass media and social change in Britain, 1882–2004 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Edexcel AS Level History Past Papers June 2018 (8HI0)

Paper 1 8 HI0/1

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1A: The Crusades, c1095 – 1204  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1B: England 1509– 1603: authority, nation and religion   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1C: Britain, 1625 – 1701: Conflict, revolution and settlement Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1D: Britain, c1785 – c1870: democracy, protest and reform Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1E: Russia, 1917 – 1991 from Lenin to Yeltsin Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1F: In search of the American Dream: The USA c1917 – 1996 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1G: Germany and West Germany, 1918 - 1989 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1H: Britain transformed, 1918 – 1997 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Paper 2 8 HI0/2

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2A.1: Anglo Saxon England and the Anglo- Norman Kingdoms Option 2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry 11, 1154 -89 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2B.1: Luther and The German Reformation, c1515 -55 Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, 1563 -1609   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2C.1: France in Revolution, 1774 -79 Option 2C.2: Russia in Revolution, 1894 -1924 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2D.1: The Unification of Italy, c1830-1870 Option 2D.2: The Unification of Germany c1840- 1871 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949 -1976 Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949 -1990 Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2F.1: India, c1914 -48: the road to independence Option 2F.2: South Africa, 1948 -94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2G.1: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy, c1911 -46 Option 2G.2: Spain, 1930 -78: republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

AS Paper 2: Depth Study: Option 2H.1: The USA, c1920 -1955: boom, bust and the recovery Option 2H.2: The USA 1955 -92: conformity and challenge   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers June 2017 (9HI0)

A-Level Paper 3 (9HI0/30): Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399 - 1509   Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Edexcel A-Level History Past Papers June 2016

Unit 1 - 8H101

AS Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations: Option 1C: Britain, 1625 – 1705: Conflict, revolution and settlement Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Unit 2 - 8H101

Edexcel A-Level History June 2015

Unit 1 - 6H101

Option A: England in the Middle Ages and the Transition to the Early Modern World -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option B: Power, Belief and Conflict in Early Modern Europe -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option C: The British Empire: Colonisation and Decolonisation -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option D: A World Divided: Communism and Democracy in the Twentieth Century -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option E: The Expansion and Challenge of Nationalism -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option F: The Expansion and Challenge of Nationalism -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Unit 2 - 6H102

Option A: Early Modern British History: Crown & Authority -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option B: British Political History in the 19th Century -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option C: Conflict and Change in 19th & 20th Century Britain -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option D: The British Empire Challenged -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option E: Britain in the Later 20th Century: Responding to Change -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Unit 3 - 6H103

Option A: Revolution and Conflict in England -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option B: Politics, Protest and Revolution -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option C: The United States: Challenged and Transformed -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option D: The Challenge of Fascism -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Option E: War and Peace: Twentieth Century International Relations -  Download Past Paper  -  Download Mark Scheme

Edexcel A-Level History June 2014

For more A-Level History past papers from other exam boards  click here .

A Level History Topics

• Post author By admin
• Post date October 9, 2021
• No Comments on A Level History Topics

The following list of A Level History topics will help you to understand exactly which topics you are studying and how your course is broken down in terms of assessment. This post covers all the three main exam boards of AQA, Edexcel and OCR.

No matter which exam board and modules you are studying in order to get your best result at A Level History you will need to learn and improve certain techniques.

Pass A Level History – is our sister site, which shows you step by step, how to most effectively answer any A Level History extract, source or essay question. Please click the following link to visit the site and get access to your free preview lesson. www.passalevelhistory.co.uk

AQA Assessment Breakdown

Historical Investigation (Coursework) – 20% of final grade

Breadth Study (Exam) – 40% of final grade

Depth Study (Exam) – 40% of final grade

AQA A Level History Topics

Component 1: Breadth study

1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204

1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598

1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603

1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702

1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796

1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783–1885

1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964

1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964

1J The British Empire, c1857–1967

1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975

1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991

Component 2: Depth study

2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216

2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499

2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564

2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570

2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660

2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715

2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801

2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815

2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877

2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941

2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957

Edexcel Assessment Breakdown

Research Enquiry (Coursework) – 20% of grade

Breadth Study with Interpretations (Exam) – 30% of grade

Depth Study (Exam) – 20% of grade

Themes in Breadth + Aspects in Depth (Exam) 30% of grade

Ed Excel A Level History Topics

Breadth study with interpretations

1A: The crusades, c1095–1204

1B: England, 1509–1603: authority, nation and religion

1C: Britain, 1625–1701: conflict, revolution and settlement

1D: Britain, c1785–c1870: democracy, protest and reform

1E: Russia, 1917–91: from Lenin to Yeltsin

1F: In search of the American Dream: the USA, c1917–96

1G: Germany and West Germany, 1918–89

1H: Britain transformed, 1918–97

Depth study

2A.1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106

2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89

2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation, c1515–55

2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609

2C.1: France in revolution, 1774–99

2C.2: Russia in revolution, 1894–1924

2D.1: The unification of Italy, c1830–70

2D.2: The unification of Germany, c1840–71

2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949–76

2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90

2F.1: India, c1914–48: the road to independence

2F.2: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’

2G.1: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy, c1911–46

2G.2: Spain, 1930–78: republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy

2H.1: The USA, c1920–55: boom, bust and recovery

Themes in breadth with aspects in depth

30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509

31: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603

32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598

33: The witch craze in Britain, Europe and North America, c1580–c1750

34.1: Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society

34.2: Poverty, public health and the state in Britain, c1780–1939

35.1: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914

35.2: The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918

36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928

36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923

37.1: The changing nature of warfare, 1859–1991: perception and reality

37.2: Germany, 1871–1990: united, divided and reunited

38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991

38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997

39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009

39.2: Mass media and social change in Britain, 1882–2004

OCR Assessment Breakdown

Topic Based Essay (Coursework) – 20% of grade

British Period Study and Enquiry (Exam) – 25% of grade

Non-British Period Study (Exam) – 15% of grade

Thematic Study and Interpretations (Exam) – 40% of grade

OCR A Level History Topics

British Period Study and Enquiry

Alfred and the making of England 871—1016

Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035—1107

England 1199—1272

England 1377—1455

England 1445—1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII

England 1485—1558: the early Tudors

England 1547—1603: the late Tudors

The early Stuarts and the origins of the Civil War 1603—1660

The making of Georgian Britain 1678 — c. 1760

From Pitt to Peel: Britain 1783—1853

Liberals, Conservatives and the rise of Labour 1846—1918

Britain 1900—1951

Britain 1930—1997

Non-British Period Study

The rise of Islam c. 550 — 750

Charlemagne 768—814

The Crusades and the crusader states 1095—1192

Genghis Khan and the explosion from the Steppes c. 1167 — 1405

Exploration, Encounters and Empire 1445—1570

Spain 1469—1556

The German Reformation and the rule of Charles V 1500—1559

Philip II 1556—1598

African kingdoms c. 1400 — c. 1800: four case studies

Russia 1645—1741

The rise and decline of the Mughal Empire in India 1526—1739

The American Revolution 1740—1796

The French Revolution and the rule of Napoleon 1774—1815

France 1814—1870

Italy and unification 1789—1896

The USA in the 19th Century: Westward expansion and Civil War 1803 — c. 1890

Japan 1853—1937

International relations 1890—1941

Russia 1894—1941

Italy 1896—1943

Democracy and dictatorships in Germany 1919—1963

The Cold War in Asia 1945—1993

The Cold War in Europe 1941—1995

Apartheid and reconciliation: South African politics 1948—1999

Thematic Study and Historical Interpretations

The early Anglo-Saxons c. 400 — 800

The Viking age c. 790 — 1066

English government and the Church 1066—1216

The Church and medieval heresy c. 1100 — 1437

The Renaissance c. 1400 — c. 1600

Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors 1485—1603

Tudor foreign policy 1485—1603

The Catholic Reformation 1492—1610

The ascendancy of the Ottoman Empire 1453—1606

The development of the nation state: France 1498—1610

The origins and growth of the British Empire 1558—1783

Popular culture and the witchcraze of the 16th and 17th centuries

The ascendancy of France 1610—1715

The challenge of German nationalism 1789—1919

The changing nature of warfare 1792—1945

Britain and Ireland 1791—1921

China and its rulers 1839—1989

Russia and its rulers 1855—1964

Civil Rights in the USA 1865—1992

From colonialism to independence: The British Empire 1857—1965

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AS and A-level History

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources
• Assessment resources
• Introduction

Specification at a glance

• 1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
• 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598 (A-level only)
• 1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
• 1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
• 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796 (A-level only)
• 1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783–1885
• 1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964
• 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
• 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
• 1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
• 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991
• 2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
• 2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499
• 2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564 (A-level only)
• 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
• 2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660
• 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715 (A-level only)
• 2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
• 2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815 (A-level only)
• 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
• 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only)
• 2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945
• 2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957
• 2N Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
• 2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945
• 2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997
• 2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
• 2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
• 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
• 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only)
• Component 3: Historical investigation (non-exam assessment) (A-level only)
• Scheme of assessment
• Non-exam assessment administration
• General administration

Subject content

• Component 1: Breadth study

1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204

1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598

1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603

1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702

1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796

1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783–1885

1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964

1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964

1J The British Empire, c1857–1967

1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975

1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991

• Component 2: Depth study

2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216

2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499

2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564

2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570

2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660

2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715

2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801

2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815

2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877

2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941

2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957

2N Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953

2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945

2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997

2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980

2R The Cold War, c1945–1991

2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007

2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000

Component 3: Historical Investigation

AS students must take assessments in both of the following components, in the same series.

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

Assessments

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

A-level students must take assessments in all three of the following components in the same series:

• Component 3: Historical investigation (Personal study)
• study topics from a chronological range of at least 200 years
• Through the topics studied in Components 1, 2 and 3 (Historical investigation), A-level students must cover a chronological range of at least 200 years.

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, other than the following:

• 1C The Tudors may not be combined with 2C The Reformation in Europe
• 1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy may not be combined with 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe

This is because there is a strong conceptual emphasis which runs across both breadth and depth options which would result in a narrowing of the student’s experience.

The following are designated British history options:

1F Industrialisation and the People: Britain, c1783–1885

1G Challenge and Transformation: Britain, c1851–1964

2D Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570

Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge international as & a level history (9489).

• Syllabus overview

Cambridge International AS and A Level History is a flexible and wide-ranging syllabus covering modern history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The syllabus builds upon skills gained at Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge O Level and develops lifelong skills including understanding issues and themes within a historical period.

The emphasis is again on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research. Learners develop an understanding of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and use historical evidence as part of their studies. Both at AS and A Level learners can select from topics on European, American or International history.

Teachers choose which periods to focus on, allowing them to build a course that reflects their learners' interests and staff specialisms, or which is relevant to the local or regional context.

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

• -->2021 - 2023 Syllabus update (PDF, 114KB)
• -->2021 Legacy Notice (PDF, 102KB)
• -->2024 - 2025 Syllabus (PDF, 774KB)
• -->2026 - 2027 Syllabus (PDF, 880KB)

Syllabus support

• -->Support for History (PDF, 1MB)

Syllabus updates

We have reviewed Cambridge International AS & A Level History as part of our rolling review programme to make sure it reflects the latest trends in this subject and developments in education. We have made some changes to meet the needs of students, teachers and higher education institutions around the world. The following changes are for assessment in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

How has the syllabus changed?

• We have refreshed the content and reviewed the amount of optionality within question papers to make sure candidates continue to benefit from having a range of options to choose from.
• cause & consequence
• change & continuity
• similarity & difference
• significance
• interpretations.
• We have added a list of command words and their meanings to help learners know what’s expected of them in the exam.
• The syllabus code will change to 9489.

How has the assessment changed?

• Papers 1 and 2 will share the same content and learners will continue to study one of three options: European, American or International.
• Each option will consist of 4 topics, which will rotate year-on-year. The topic which is the focus of Paper 1 in June and November of any given year is not used to set the questions for Paper 2. There will be a table in the syllabus clarifying when each topic will be used for which papers.
• Paper 3 Topic 1 The Causes and Impact of British Imperialism will be replaced by The Origins of the First World War.
• Paper 4: Depth study 4: African History, 1945–91, and Depth study 5: Southeast Asian History, 1945–90s (available in November only) have been removed.

When do these changes take place?

The updated syllabus is for examination in June and November 2021, 2022 and 2023. Please see the 2021-2023 syllabus above for full details.

Coming soon

We are developing a wide range of support to help you plan and teach the 2021-2023 syllabus.

Look out for a range of support including a Scheme of work, Example candidate responses, Teacher and Learner guides. These materials will be available before first teaching from April 2019 onwards through our School Support Hub .

Endorsed resources

Increased depth of coverage and closely mapped to the new Cambridge syllabus, this series provides a wide range of source material and language support. Builds confidence in the skills of language, essay writing and evaluation.

Read more on the Cambridge University Press website

Develop knowledge and analytical skills with engaging and comprehensive coverage of the Cambridge International AS Level History syllabuses for examination from 2021.

Read more on the Hodder website

Important notices

We are withdrawing Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) from the March exam series. The last March series for this syllabus will be March 2025. 

From 2026, we will only offer this syllabus in the June and November exam series.

We communicated this change to schools in September 2022.

For some subjects, we publish grade descriptions to help understand the level of performance candidates’ grades represent.

We paused the publication of grade descriptions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the awarding standard in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

As the awarding standard has now returned to the pre-pandemic standard, we are working to produce up-to-date grade descriptions for most of our general qualifications. These will be based on the awarding standards in place from June 2023 onwards.

School Support Hub

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Schemes of work

Example responses, past papers, specimen paper answers.

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