A level history without gcse

Without having taken either, I can only speak from a second/third hand account, but my understanding is both the style and content of the two qualifications are vastly different. I've heard a lot of positive accounts of A-level History, in terms of content. GCSE however...

In any case, if the school/college is happy to take you onto the course without GCSE in the subject, then there shouldn't be any issues for actually doing the course. Whether you'll enjoy it is harder to say - look at the topics on the syllabus for whichever exam board your school will be doing and see if you find them interesting now. If so, then that probably bodes well, but if they look quite dull and tedious then that's probably a good sign to consider something else.

What other A-Levels are you taking and what do you want to do at Uni? That might help you make your decision, and us advice.

I took History at GCSE and I take it at A-Level. I use very little of the skills learnt at GCSE, other than a brain that can hold copious amounts of weirdly specific dates and events. I don't think you should struggle. You basically need very good memory, a willingness to revise as there is a LOT of content and the ability to form and debate arguments using historical knowledge. Oh, and the ability to stay interested in something even if you don't care so much for it. I do The Tudors and The Russian Revolution - I love The Tudors and hate Russia, just because it doesn't really interest me as much but you have to keep with it nevertheless.

Out of the subjects you've suggested, History is the only facilitating subject. It depends on what your others are but if you've only got one or none otherwise, I'd definitely recommend taking it. Having 2 or more facilitating subjects opens lots of doors.

Hope this helps X

Hey all,

I'm contemplating choosing History at A level, I was recently introduced to the idea of taking GCSE history by my new director of sixth form. That's not to say he's suggesting I take it, just pointing it out to me. I want to study Law, Politics and Sociology or History. Not sure which! I never gave history the time of day because I didn't take it at GCSE level, so I somehow assumed it would be required to have it...

However that is not the case!

Anyone who has done history at a level or as please let me know how much you used your gcse knowledge (or didn't).

Thanks!
A

Hmm
I got a C in geography
E in physical geography
A in human Geography

My sixth form's website says you only need a B in GCSE history or a 6 in English language. I think they just want to check that people have a fairly good level of English and will be able to write essays coherently. I wouldn't really say that you need to worry about getting a C in geography, they're very different skills at GCSE (from what I've seen of my friends' history work) and it seems like your physical paper was just a bad exam based on the grade you got in the human paper. I'm also considering doing A Level history without studying it at GCSE, you could possibly find out about any overlaps from your friends who have done history. That's what I'm planning on doing then I'll probably do some research on each section based on the specification and possibly watch some documentaries too.

I took history A-level without having done the gcse and after getting my a level results last week, I got an A and am off to study it at uni now! So it's totally possible!

I took history A-level without having done the gcse and after getting my a level results last week, I got an A and am off to study it at uni now! So it's totally possible!

I did history at A level whilst having not done it for GCSE. Teachers will make you feel like you'll be at a major disadvantage, but I've found it not to be entirely true. You can definitely manage to do well in it as long as you're familiar with essay subjects. I did just as well if not better than people who got A*-A in their GCSE History.
Don't be discouraged by what teachers have said to scare you.

I just got an A* in history A level and you don't really need GCSE to do it, just be prepared to get used to the essay style but the a level structures are so different to GCSE so you won't really be at a disadvantage

Hey all,

I'm contemplating choosing History at A level, I was recently introduced to the idea of taking GCSE history by my new director of sixth form. That's not to say he's suggesting I take it, just pointing it out to me. I want to study Law, Politics and Sociology or History. Not sure which! I never gave history the time of day because I didn't take it at GCSE level, so I somehow assumed it would be required to have it...

However that is not the case!

Anyone who has done history at a level or as please let me know how much you used your gcse knowledge (or didn't).

Thanks!
A

I never took sociology so I can't give you any information on that, but if you do history be prepared for how much out need to learn from a long time period (we did Russia from 1860s-1990s)

Also I know you haven't asked about law but I wish someone had warned me. I've done law on two exam boards (I moved college) so I have experience with AQA which is the easiest exam board by far, and OCR which is ridiculously dense. However I ended up getting an A* at OCR and I'm not naturally clever so it is possible. It is lots and lots of rote learning on pretty much the entire criminal law. It's one of those subjects where it's either ridiculously easy, or ridiculously hard, depending on how much work you're willing to put in. I spent up to 2 hours a night revising law because the volume of knowledge required to get a high grade needs that level of commitment. That being said, if you are passionate and committed it's easily going to be your favourite subject

Choose History. Its a solid faciliating A level that universities want prospective students to have. I got a B (should have studied harder) in History and never did the GCSE. I'm interested in studying law at university too, and having the A level has never held me back. If you want to get into Law or Politics, the analytical skills that you learn in the course are craved by universities.