A Level History

Overview

  • 16-18
  • 17-20 hours per week

Details

To apply for A Levels

Please choose an initial A Level you would like to apply for, then follow the on screen instructions on the online application form.  Add the names of the additional A Levels you would like to study into your personal statement, indicating why you have selected those options.

Course content

In the first year (AS) we look at Change and Consolidation: Britain 1906-1951 and Periods of Change: The Campaign for Civil Rights in the USA 1950-1968.

In the second year (A2) we look at The State and the People: Change and Continuity: The making of Modern Britain 1951-2007 and there is a four thousand word Historical Enquiry on an aspect of US Foreign Policy 1891-1991. The course will develop your skills of historical research, analysis and interpretation. The course also includes a visit to the Imperial War Museum, occasional guest speakers, and access to rare doIn the second year (A2) we look at The State and the People: Change and Continuity: The making of Modern Britain 1951-2007 and there is a four thousand word Historical Enquiry on an aspect of US Foreign Policy 1891-1991. The course will develop your skills of historical research, analysis and interpretation. The course also includes a visit to the Imperial War Museum, occasional guest speakers, and access to rare do 

What have students who have taken this course in the past progressed to?

This course will lead you into all sorts of career paths and university choices but you will be mainly interested in a legal career, political science, journalism and literature. History is a subject valued by universities and employers because it combines logical investigation with reasoned and substantiated argument. Students who study History often follow the subject at degree level or study for a related subject such as Law, Politics or Sociology. The study of History is useful in a wide range of careers such as the legal profession, the civil service, teaching, local government, politics, and in pressure groups and charities. History skills are especially useful in research based occupations such as journalism, the police and the law.

How will I learn?

You will learn through class activities, group work, independent learning, timed assessment, feedback and some teacher led discussion.

How will I be assessed?

The AQA course focuses on 20th Century history and the developments and events that have occurred around the world since 1900.The configuration of the units for AS and A2 is as follows:

AS units: 

Britain 1906-1951 (essay based exam)
Civil Rights in the USA 1950-1968 (document and essay based exam)

A2 Units:

Britain 1951-2007 (essay based exam question)
US Foreign Policy 1891-1991 (compulsory coursework topic)

Equipment and other costs

Students must provide their own pens, pencils and stationery, all other equipment will be provided. 

What qualification do I get on completing this course?

A Level History

Where have students gone to after completing this course?

University

Is there additional work required by the student?

How much time should I be expected to spend on assignments, projects, field trips etc.?

You will complete five hours of independent study each week, including homework tasks.  

Each term we will go on a trip. We often go to London history museums and some outside London.

What are the expected employment areas with this course?

Journalism, Legal, Literature, Political science

Awarding Body

Edexcel logo

Entry Requirements

What qualifications or skills do I need to show I have before I can enrol?

You will need 6 GCSEs at grades 5-9 and a grade 6 in English.

Expected prior knowledge

You do not need any past knowledge but an interest in British and American history is vital.

Support

Free Meals in FE

If you are aged between 16 and 18 on the 31st August 2022 and received free school meals when you were at school, you may be eligible to receive a free meal at College

Eligibility

To be eligible for free meals you must be enrolled on a full time course, funded by the EFA and you or your parents must be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income support
  • Income based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income related Employment and Support allowance( ESA)
  • Support under part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Child tax credit (provided your parents are not claiming Working tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by HMR&C
  • Working tax Credit run-on paid for 4 weeks after a person stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • During the initial roll out of the benefit, Universal Credit
Evidence
  • Evidence of family income being within the threshold of £16,190 per annum. This may be evidenced by presentation of a Tax Credit Award Notice or documentation from HMRC showing actual income for tax year 2021-22
  • Parent or nominated guardian’s evidence of Child Benefit & DWP Letter confirming receipt of a means tested benefit.

All applicants will be required to provide evidence dated within four months of the application, showing that they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

Applications for Free meals in F.E.

A student is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or their parent/ guardian have made a successful application to City of Westminster College.

Exceptional age group for Free Meals in F.E.

Students aged between 19 and 24 on 31st August 2022 who are subject to a Learning Disability Assessment (LDA) or Education Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) are entitled to a free meal if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Getting your meal at College

Students must attend their classes to continue to be eligible for free meals at College.

Students will be allocated £2.50 for each day they are timetabled to be in college. There is no cash alternative. Credits will be loaded onto the Student ID card. Students must have their College ID card to get their meal. Students cannot get a meal with temporary ID cards.

Credits not spent at the end of each day will be withdrawn.

Students are advised to purchase nutritious meals. The credits cannot be spent on items such as: cookies, cakes, fizzy drinks or confectionary.

Further Education Fees

All our Further Education (FE) courses (Entry to Level 3) are free to EU residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August 2022. For a few courses you may be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources. However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help from the College’s Learner Support Fund. You should apply for any such financial support as soon as you have been offered a place. If you are aged 19 or over on 31st August 2022 and you are a UK/EU resident you will normally be required to pay a course fee.

How much will my course cost?

The cost of your course will include tuition fees and examination fees, where applicable. Where a course requires additional specialist materials, there may be an additional cost. Some courses are cheaper than others because they are part funded by the government; some of these courses may also attract concessionary fees for some people.

19+ Advanced Learning Loan

If you are aged 19+ or over and studying a Level 3 course, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan. To be eligible for this loan, you must have been living continuously in the UK for 3 years immediately before the start date of your course. You must also be undertaking a course of study that is at Level 3 or above, e.g. National Diploma/Certificate etc. For more information click here.

Fee remission/concessionary rates

Concessionary rates are now available for learners that meet the following criteria:

  • Entry to Level 1 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full Level 2 or above qualification*
  • Entry to Level 1 courses may be free for 24+ year olds who are unemployed or meet low wage criteria
  • Full Level 2 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full Level 2 or above qualification*
  • Full Level 2 courses may be free or 24+ year olds who are unemployed or meet low wage criteria
  • Full Level 3 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full L3 or above qualification*. 

For more information on fees and remission click here.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

If you are on a low income you may be eligible for financial support towards tuition fees from the Discretionary Learner Support Fund. 

For further information click here.

Childcare

Financial support to help with childcare

Care to learn - childcare support for young people aged 16-20

If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £175.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn. 

Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study.  Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.

For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a Student Advisor.

Childcare support for people aged 20+

Financial support towards the cost of nursery, childminder, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

If you are aged 20+ when you start a course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.

You will be required to make use of any government NEF or 2+ Funding before requesting any financial support from the college.

It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available.

Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.

General eligibility criteria:

  • Aged 20 and over
  • Considered a home student for fee purposes
  • Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency  or in receipt of a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan
  • Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling

Financial eligibility:

 You need to have evidence that you meet general discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:

  • on a low income / a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.

When looking for childcare please be aware:

  • all childcare providers must be OFSTED registered
  • any 2+ or 3+ government funding must be used by the student. Only additional hours needed for study will be funded by the College.
  • childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement.
  • students on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding.
  • childcare places will be subject to a contract between College/student/nursery.
  • childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% attendance on a monthly basis.

All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.

Email learner.services@cwc.ac.uk to put your name on the childcare waiting list.  You MUST speak to a member of the Student Advice or Learner Services team before you enrol on a course.

Financial Support for 16-18 Year-olds and Continuing Learners aged 19

The Education Funding Authority has allocated money to colleges to support students who are on low incomes or the dependent of parents on a low income, and need support towards their course-related costs or essential living costs or are facing financial difficulty.

For further information click here.

For further information on financial support for Looked after Children, Care Leavers and estranged young people, click here