Level
A Level
Qualification
Cambridge (CIA) AS and A Level History syllabus 9489
Exam Board
Cambridge
Hours of Study
Approximately 500 hours of study time (plus additional time for completing assignments)
About the course
View upcoming Open EventsOverview
Our A Level History homeschooling course will help you understand how the past shapes the present, giving you insight into how we can learn lessons from history to create a better future. Through this course, students will:
- Explore major events from the 19th and 20th Centuries
- Learn to think critically, understand cause and effect and build strong analytical and evaluation skills.
- Open doors to university courses and careers in areas like law, politics, journalism, archaeology and more.
Our experienced University and Careers Advisor can provide support with choosing the right A Level courses for your ambitions, as well as all aspects of applying to university including UCAS references, interview preparation and more.
Additional information
Study method: A self-directed mix of online and offline learning with structured multimedia content. You will be supported throughout your studies with expert Tutor feedback as well as guidance from a dedicated 1:1 Student Progress Manager.
Please note this course can also be taken as a standalone AS Level qualification.
Course content
Key topics
- Historical concepts such as cause and effect, similarity and difference and chance and continuity
- Interpretations of historical debates
- Political changes and revolutions
- Social and economic developments
- Independent research
- Essay writing
Take a look at our A Level History homeschooling course to see what your child will be studying, with these exclusive previews on our student learning platform. These will give you an insight into our approach to this subject, the different topics it covers and the types of activities and exercises your child will be doing once they get started.
Assessments & exams
Exams
This course will assess your understanding across several papers:
AS Level
Paper 1: This Document Question paper lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes and accounts for 40% of the AS grade or 20% of the overall A Level grade.
Paper 2: This Outline Study paper lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes and accounts for 60% of the AS grade or 30% of the overall A Level grade.
A Level
Paper 3: This Interpretations Question paper lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes and accounts for 20% of the overall A Level grade.
Paper 4: This Depth Study paper lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes and accounts for 30% of the overall A Level grade.
Mock exams
All of our A Level courses include a number of past exam papers in the final module to support students’ learning. This includes the most recent paper, which can be taken as a mock exam and submitted to the course Tutor for feedback for an additional fee.
87% Pass Rate
In 2024, our A Level students achieved a pass rate of 87% at A*-C grade, with 59% achieving grades A*-C across all their courses.
Exam centres
You can take your A Level exams at Cambridge exam centres in over 150 countries. We can provide details of the closest exam centre for your family.
Meet the tutors
A Level History Tutors
Emma Conroy, BA, PGCE, MSc
Tutors
Subjects
- History (International)
- History
Teaching Levels
- Lower Secondary
- GCSE Level
- A Level
Emma Conroy, BA, PGCE, MSc
Tutors
My passion for History began with an early trip to Hampton Court Palace. My imagination was captured walking the corridors trodden by Henry VIII and many others whose influence is felt in our country to this day.
As my education progressed and my interest in History widened, I began to appreciate the process of critically assessing and combining a variety of historical sources to construct my own interpretation of events. As Confucius stated, “study the past, if you would define the future”.
I took my undergraduate degree in History at Liverpool University and followed this with a PGCE in the subject, later completing an MSc in Education at the University of Oxford. My lifelong love of learning continued more recently with the completion of a Graduate Diploma in Law from Nottingham Law School. This latter course of study was completed by distance learning, which has given me a first-hand appreciation of the unique requirements of those studying remotely rather than in a classroom environment.
I have over 20 years of experience in teaching GCSE and A level History and Government and Politics at Secondary schools in Derbyshire, Oxfordshire and London. During this time, in addition to classroom teaching, I have had the responsibility of being both Head of History and Head of Sixth Form. More recently, I have held a role as an examiner for GCSE and A Level History.
I have always taken a great deal of satisfaction from seeing my students develop their critical thinking as Historians and have taken great pleasure in seeing many of them choose to study the subject at excellent universities and beyond.
When not engaging in my love for History and Politics, I enjoy singing in a community choir and playing the clarinet in a local wind ensemble. I also love exploring the Oxfordshire countryside where I live with my husband, two children and dog, who unsurprisingly is named Henry!
I look forward to sharing my passion for History with the students of Wolsey Hall Oxford.
Karen Dawson, BA, MA, PGCE
Tutors
Subjects
- History
- Politics
Teaching Levels
- Lower Secondary
- GCSE Level
- A Level
Karen Dawson, BA, MA, PGCE
Tutors
I adore History and have had the absolute pleasure of being a teacher, tutor and examiner in the subject. My main interests at university were in Tudor and Stuart England, the Russian Revolution and the First World War.
I undertook my Master’s Degree whilst teaching in a Secondary School, and thoroughly enjoyed rummaging in the Kent County Archives for primary sources relating to the history of crime and punishment. However, there is no area of History I don’t enjoy learning about and I keep learning. I am a member of the Historical Association and take advantage of their courses and articles, and I love to visit English Heritage sites and museums with my two children.
As historians we are custodians of the past and are lucky enough to make windows into the lives of our ancestors, to see how they lived, breathed, thought and felt. I consider myself to be a life-long learner and I hope, through teaching, that I can pass this love for the subject on to others.
I have had a varied and interesting career in teaching. I have taught across the secondary school age range, alongside teaching Politics, and the Extended Project Qualification. I have also worked with students from a variety of backgrounds, learning needs and abilities, to meet their personal goals. I have worked with international students and travelled to places such as Berlin and Ypres with my students. I undertook a teacher exchange programme to a school in Taipei and was able to experience education in Taiwan. My time as a one-to-one tutor and an examiner has also been very important in forming my understanding of the requirements for exam success.
I now live in the North Downs of Kent with my husband and two children, running a local baby bank. In my spare time, I keep chickens and an allotment garden.
Oliver Saunders, BA Hons, MA, GTTP
Tutors
Subjects
- History
Teaching Levels
- GCSE Level
- A Level
Oliver Saunders, BA Hons, MA, GTTP
Tutors
My love of history started with a fascination with stories. History stories were even better because they also happened to be true. As a BA Hons History student at King’s College, London, I focused on ancient and medieval history. At university I particularly enjoyed reading accounts from people writing at the time.
Following university, I became a teacher, initially at primary school, where I enjoyed bringing history to life with trips to Durham and Chartres. I soon moved to secondary school so that I could share my love of history with older pupils and complete my Graduate Teacher Training. I taught history at all levels for many years, working with several exam boards, and was also Head of History for nearly twenty years. About ten years ago, I started teaching Politics to a select group of students who specially requested it. This soon became a very popular subject, leading to many interesting debates and discussions. During this time, I marked exam papers for a major UK exam board, gaining a real sense of what examiners are looking for.
I recently completed an MA in Military History with Birmingham University. The MA was taught entirely remotely, giving me a chance to experience what it is like to be a student learning outside the classroom, and giving me an understanding of remote learning. I am keen that students enjoy their studies as well as developing their potential and achieving exam success, and I am excited to help you on your learning journey!
I am married with two adult children. I am a passionate bread maker and home bake bread to be enjoyed by family and friends. I also love reading and challenge myself to read a little more each year. I live in London and enjoy long walks by the river Thames. Soon, I hope to move to Cornwall to enjoy wonderful walks along the wild coastline of north Cornwall.
Rachel Sanders, BA (Hons), MA, PhD, PGCE
Tutors
Subjects
- History of Art
Teaching Levels
- A Level
Rachel Sanders, BA (Hons), MA, PhD, PGCE
Tutors
I have been teaching History of Art for 20 years. I began teaching the subject at A Level in 2013. I have worked for several colleges and universities, including Oxford Brookes and London’s City Literary Institute, where I continue to deliver lectures on art and design history. It is enormous fun as I frequently get to teach in locations such as the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum. I have been fortunate in that the many students I have taught in Further and Higher Education have shared my passion for the subject, which first developed when I studied on the foundation course at Winchester School of Art and was required to write an essay on the Bauhaus. I learnt quickly that being well informed about the history of a discipline helped develop my practical work and I have spent many years helping young artists and designers come to the same realisation. I continue to draw on my knowledge of fashion and graphic design history to feed my creative hobbies.
I received my PhD in History of Art from University College, London in 2011. My thesis, ‘Realism and Ridicule’ was on early twentieth-century American political paintings and cartoons. My post-doctoral research focuses on political publications such as the Masses magazine, and the artists that contributed to them, and I have published many articles on this specialism. This study has led to me teaching American History at A level in recent years. I also hold Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in the History of Art and Architecture. I particularly love art of the modern era, but I enjoy teaching everything from Gothic architecture to post-colonial cultural theory.
History of Art can teach valuable skills such as visual analysis, critical thinking, and forming focused and sustained evidence-based arguments. It can also deliver more discipline-specific abilities in art appreciation and broad historical and cultural knowledge. So whether you share Matisse’s view that art should be “something like a good armchair which provides relaxation”, or Picasso’s belief that art is an “an offensive and defensive weapon” studying this subject will be an informative and stimulating experience. I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your education goals.
Veronika Goodwin, BA, Cert Ed.
Tutors
Subjects
- History
Teaching Levels
- A Level
- GCSE Level
Veronika Goodwin, BA, Cert Ed.
Tutors
I’ve always enjoyed introducing others to the wonders of History. My own four children visited many monuments and museums while still in their pushchairs. While they learnt the value of a strategic nap, they also developed their own interest to the extent that the youngest is even studying History herself at university.
My own interest in History was awakened by living in places where the layers of the past were evident. I grew up in a village near Oxford, where there was a Viking battlefield, and the remains of an 11th century priory. Outside my Primary school was an ancient tree still known as ‘Rupert’s Oak’, dating from the Civil War. As a teenager I was intrigued to visit local sites, especially those connected with notorious characters, from highwaymen and the Hellfire Club to John Profumo. So I went on to take my degree in History at Nottingham University, and then spent three years researching the social history of London in the 19th century.
Since then, I’ve lived in several towns and cities, and in each case I have enjoyed investigating and understanding their past, and how this local history relates to wider historical themes. Meanwhile, I have taught in a variety of schools and colleges, specialising in 19th and 20th century history.
I’ve also worked to support students in developing their essay writing skills, and marked GCSE and A Level exam papers. During this time I’ve seen what rapid progress you can make if you’re committed to learning. I’ve helped my own children, and many other students, acquire the combination of knowledge, skills and organisation that they need to succeed at top universities.
Another great interest is languages. I have taught English in Spain and Spanish in England. My mother’s family is Swedish. We’ve travelled extensively and hosted student teachers from many countries, and always found it fascinating to discover more about life and education in other cultures.
All this has shown me how understanding the past not only enriches our lives but also develops valuable skills of interpretation and debate. As the Roman statesman Cicero wrote, more than two thousand years ago, ‘To be ignorant of the past is to remain forever a child’.
Course bundles & savings
Choose the perfect combination of courses for your child with our flexible approach to homeschooling. The more courses you select, the more you save per course.
1-2 courses
From £1,092.50 per course
3 courses
From £902.50 per course
4 courses
From £807.50 per course
Inspiring Stories
See how our students have unlocked their potential
Trustpilot Reviews
A Level reviews
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Flexible, comprehensive and supportive
I used Wolsey Hall Oxford to sit an A level in support of a career change. I had a really superb experience with the college. The online portal is easy to use. Teaching and learning materials are well curated to deliver the content. Tutors feedback is constructive, on point and quickly provided. These factors all help to ensure readiness for the exams themselves as well as development of a strong knowledge of the subject content. The administrative team were efficient and helpful. Overall and excellent experience and I would strongly recommend to anyone who can’t attend regular schooling in person or perhaps who wants to study an additional qualification alongside studies in school.
Clare W, January 10
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Highly recommended! Experienced and professional homeschooling in Zambia from Wolsey Hall Oxford!
Wolsey Hall Oxford came recommended from friends and colleagues when looking for Cambridge homeschooling family option for our 16 year old daughter in Zambia. We were not disappointed with the recommendations and the outcome of homeschooling in her selected A level subjects - Business Studies, English Language, Economics and History. The experience of the teachers and support network at Wolsey resulted in our daughter being accepted in a UK Russel Group University. Thank you Wolsey Hall Oxford team and Erica in particular, as you made it easier for us as parents throughout the homeschooling process which was new for us! Recommended by our family!
Alan Clayton, September 17
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Thank you Wolsey Hall Oxford
I'm Tejjas, an A Level student who sat the 2024 May/June A Level exams. My experience with Wolsey Hall Oxford was wonderful and I'm so happy that I decided to enrol. Courses were well organised on Canvas and flowed logically. The materials linked were useful and helped to provide a broader range of perspectives and approaches to problems or concepts. I would also recommend that other students look for materials beyond what is provided on Canvas to further their understanding if they so wish. Tutors were friendly and helpful when asked questions, and would usually respond within 48 hours. Thank you Mr Bahia, Mr Wardle, and Mrs Carpinato. Assignments were also good and feedback was useful. What was particularly good was that I felt that assignments were graded as they would be in the exams, meaning very strictly. This encouraged me to learn proper exam technique and not gloss over details that may otherwise seem trivial. This is especially helpful for essay subjects where students may mark themselves too leniently since the Cambridge-provided mark-schemes have some ambiguity. My SPM, Ms Helena Cantone, was also supportive and understanding when I missed deadlines occasionally due to personal matters. She would check in monthly to ask how I was doing and offer help, which helped to keep me motivated. I'm also very thankful to the university counsellor, Ms Sarah Wilson, for her advice and support with my UCAS application. With her referral letter and general advice on my application, I secured 5/5 offers from universities including the LSE, Warwick, and KCL. I achieved A*A*A* and hence converted my LSE offer. Overall, these 2 years with Wolsey Hall Oxford have been incredible thanks to the wonderful people involved, and I will look back on them with great fondness. Tejjas
Tejjas Kumar, August 16
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Professional, well-oiled institution
Wolsey is a highly professional institution that has clearly been operating for decades. The support, when needed, is always good. The course design and content is excellent, and makes the various subjects interesting. The tutor support is very helpful. We also appreciated the University Advice section of the school
Nicky van Hille, June 29
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Great experience throughout my school years
I have been with Wolsey since I started KS3, and I'm now going to start my final year of A levels. All throughout my time, the tutors have been fantastic and the feedback I got from them on my assignments have been good, as well as communication if I needed any additional help. For my AS level sociology, my assignment marks went from 68/100 to 90/100. Overall, probably one of the best online schooling options
Audrey M. Purinton, June 27
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Wonderful Wolsey!
Our daughter has been with Wolsey Hall for 4 years now and is on her path to begin her A-levels. We have had a wonderful experience from day one, and our current SPM, Kristina Brown, has been a superstar all the way. All questions, queries, and requests are attended to promptly and with extended guidance the whole time which is invaluable. We look forward to our next chapter with Wolsey Hall both our daughter and we as parents, are very happy with Wolsey Hall and highly recommend it to all parents looking for a top homeschooling choice.
C.T, June 21
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Many Thanks To Wolsey Hall
Wolsey Hall staff and teachers were always very helpful. I did not have to wait for assessment of my assignments for any length of time. The comments of the tutors helped to improve my presentation, especially in Mathematics. The encouraging and kind comments of all the tutors kept my morale high. When I had no option near my home to pursue A levels, Wolsey Hall was the best choice. Especially suited my independent style of working. Many Thanks to Wolsey Hall.
Arshnoor Singh Boparai, April 20, 2024
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Fantastic feedback, support and resources
Wolsey Hall is an absolutely fantastic choice for anyone wanting to homeschool themselves. You will have access to a staggering amount of interesting and useful course material, constant support and helpful feedback on all your assignments. I finished both my IGCSEs and my A Levels with Wolsey Hall, and did very well in both. I strongly recommend giving this school a chance!
Kaden Wolfson, January 17, 2024
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A levels at wh
My teachers and student manager were supportive throughout my 2 years with Wolsey. They were very good at prepping us for the exams and gave really specific and helpful feedback to my assignments.
Avantika D, August 23, 2023
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A great homeschooling approach
This is the best homeschooling program to support student undertaking a UK based curriculum. The platform works very well, supported by excellent tutors and a dedicated student progress manager. I recommend it for anyone looking to take IGCSE or A level qualification.
Sammy Likhali, June 27, 2023
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I have just finished two a-levels…
I have just finished two a-levels courses and I’m very satisfied with the experience Wolsey Hall provided. Always helpful and tutors always responsive with plenty of notice if they aren’t able to get back to you. All the resources and websites proved very useful and I thought the organisation of it was immaculate. Feedback was always helpful and always gave you room to improve so you can aim for very good grades.
Kim, November 29, 2022
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We were looking for an alternative online school for A Levels
We were looking for an alternative online school for A Levels. We found Wolsey Hall online, watched a few videos and filled in the information request form. Tina replied with a kind and informative email which she immediately followed up with a video call. Tina has gone above and beyond all of our expectations to help and has really made us feel like the school cares. The whole experience has left us as a family feeling confident that we have made the right choice and looking forward to getting started.
Spain Family, September 30, 2021
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Cambridge A level Psychology…
Our daughter took A level Psychology over 2 years because this option was not available through her school. Although much of distance learning is down to a student's self-discipline, having the right framework, tutor support and feedback strengthens the process. I believe that Wolsey Hall provided this, which is why the final grade result was so encouraging. I can highly recommend Wolsey Hall if you are looking for an online Cambridge option.
Parent, September 29, 2021
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No regrets at all.... Wolsey Hall are excellent.
A work move to Tokyo meant we had to make some tough decisions on A Level education for our son. Shopping around it was clear there was a plethora of distance learning providers, but Wolsey Hall seemed to stand out. We plumped for them, based upon their references and we were not disappointed; in fact we were delighted. Our son enrolled for three A Levels and it was clear from day one that Wolsey Hall were attentive, rigorous, disciplined and a delight for him to deal with. Feedback from the coursework was fast, comprehensive and very personalised, his tutors always accessible and delight to deal with, providing excellent exam preparation. The administration of the books, coursework, lesson plans and other issues was spot-on. Wolsey Hall has our strongest recommendation and they have our fulsome praise and thanks for their efforts; he passed all three with great grading and will start University this year. My Son wears his Wolsey Hall sweatshirt with pride, they are very much his Alma Mater. Delighted!
Paul, May 12, 2020
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Wolsey Hall is an excellent school for…
Wolsey Hall is an excellent school for young adults to excel in their studies. Using the homeschooling system allows adolescents to develop a sense of orderliness, perseverance, patience and importance of achievement. The way the system works is very clear, efficient and straightforward with many resources provided. Tutors are very helpful, always giving inspiring compliments as well as advising on how to improve and where to focus attention. Wolsey Hall gave our daughter a unique opportunity to study AS and A levels while living in France. We are very grateful for the invaluable help we received from all the team. The synergy of hard work and support produced exceptionally great results: our daughter was accepted to one of the best universities.
parent, October 14, 2019
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Exceptional Experience
My daughter is an American student studying with Wolsey Hall. I knew very little about the Cambridge curriculum when my daughter began her IGCSE studies, but Wolsey Hall has made every effort to help both of us along the way. Their tutors are excellent, the materials they offer are thorough and I cannot say enough good things about their support staff. My daughter achieved very high marks on her IGCSE exams and is now studying A levels with Wolsey Hall. I highly recommend them for anyone wanting an exceptional learning experience.
Elaine, September 25, 2019
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Excellent
I would recommend Wolsey Hall Oxford to anyone considering homeschooling. Each course has plenty of resources on canvas and the course books are very informative. Any questions or help that we needed (preparing and arranging exams etc) have always been dealt with by the friendly tutors and student progress manager. My daughter achieved excellent IGCSE results and is now taking an A-level course.
D Hogan, September 18, 2019
Rated 4.7 / 5 based on 270 reviews.
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Simply fill out our Admissions Enquiry Form and a member of our team will then be in touch to arrange a call to talk about your circumstances and needs in more detail.