AS Level History
06 June 2018
Withdrawal of some options from AS Level History A (H105)
As we mentioned in a previous subject information update, a number of options from our AS Level History A are being withdrawn on a staggered basis. This is due to a pronounced and continued nationwide decline in entries for AS Level qualifications, which is occurring across all subjects. In order to ensure OCR retains a viable and robust AS Level qualification in History, we have limited the topic options that can be taken as part of the AS Level qualification.
As a not-for-profit organisation, OCR has invested heavily to make sure a comprehensive and diverse range of topics is included in our AS and A Level History qualifications. We recognise the value in allowing teachers to make the most of their own specialisms and to have the choice to construct the best course for themselves and their learners. Please note that A Level optionality is not affected, and all current options will continue to be offered as part of the A Level qualification. While we regret the loss of flexibility and optionality at AS Level, it is important that the qualification is viable and robust.
The following AS Level options are being withdrawn in summer 2018, with a resit only assessment available in summer 2019:
| Entry code | Option title | Final assessment opportunity | Resit opportunity |
|---|
| Y131 | Alfred and the Making of England 871-1016 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y132 | Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035-1107 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y133 | England 1199-1272 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y135 | England 1445-1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y139 | The Making of Georgian Britain 1678-c.1760 | Summer 2018 | Not available** |
| Y140 | From Pitt to Peel: Britain 1783-1853 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y141 | Liberals, Conservatives and the Rise of Labour 1846-1918 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y142 | Britain 1900-1951 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y233 | The Crusades the Crusader States 1095-1192 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y234 | Genghis Khan and the Explosion from the Steppes c.1167-1405 | Summer 2018 | Not available** |
| Y237 | The German Reformation and the rule of Charles V 1500-1559 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y238 | Philip II 1556-1598 | Summer 2018 | Not available** |
| Y240 | Russia 1645-1741 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y242 | The American Revolution 1740-1796 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y244 | France 1814-1870 | Summer 2018 | Not available** |
| Y245 | Italy and Unification 1789-1896 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y246 | The USA in the 19th Century: Westward Expansion and Civil War 1803-c.1890 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y248 | International Relations 1890-1941 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y250 | Italy 1896-1943 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
| Y254 | Apartheid and Reconciliation: South African Politics 1948-1999 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019* |
*We are offering a resit opportunity in summer 2019 in these options as they have received entries this year.
**There have been no entries in summer 2018 for these options, therefore a resit opportunity will not be available.
For further information on deadlines for submitting entries and entry amendments/withdrawals, please see our General Qualification Entry Codes booklet, which can be downloaded from our website.
We will continue to support these options up to the conclusion of the final assessment series with resources such as the examiners' report.
Centres wishing to continue to offer a fully co-taught AS Level in History alongside their A Level in History should teach one of the following four British History options:
- Y136 England 1485-1558: the Early Tudors
- Y137 England 1547-1603: the Later Tudors
- Y138 The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603-1660
- Y143 Britain 1930-1997
in combination with one of the following five non-British options:
- Y243 The French Revolution and the rule of Napoleon 1774-1815
- Y249 Russia 1894-1941
- Y251 Democracy and Dictatorships in Germany 1919-1963
- Y252 The Cold War in Asia 1945-1993
- Y253 The Cold War in Europe 1941-1995
The qualification page for AS Level History and its specification will be updated to reflect the changes in this notice. These will be available from 18 June 2018. Comprehensive help and advice on switching to the above options will be available on our website, including schemes of work, resource lists, and candidate exemplars.
If you are considering teaching A Level only and you are unsure how this decision may affect your centre, please get in touch with us. If you have any queries about this update or wish to discuss how this affects your centre, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email history@ocr.org.uk.
Qualifications