Overview
The Kings Advanced Level Foundation is based on A-level syllabuses, taught by A-level teachers, assessed against A-levels and moderated by an independent Advisory Board of external examiners. As such, it is one of the most highly academic and successful pathways to leading UK universities.
History is an elective module within the Foundation, and is ideal for students who are interested in studying either this, or another Humanities-based subject, at university.
Key Facts
- 8 April 2024 (extended programme only)
- 1 July 2024 (Extended programme only)
- 9 September 2024
- 6 January 2025
- Bournemouth
- Brighton
- Oxford
- Academic: Completed 11-12 years of schooling
- English: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
- 1 Academic Year (3 terms)
- Extended programme: 1-2 Academic Years (4-7 terms)
- Average 21 hours per week (plus homework and private study)
Learning outcomes
- An awareness of some of the major trends and events which shaped the UK and Europe over a 125-year period.
- An understanding of the impact of competing ideologies in the world.
- Knowledge of the economic, political and social change on society within the periods of study.
- The skills required to be able understand, analyse and evaluate the evidence for human actions.
- The ability to assess the level of continuity and change over a specific time frame.
Course content and structure
The Advanced Level Foundation programme is highly flexible, and able to adapt to the needs and academic aspirations of each student. It does this through a combination of core modules and a series of elective modules which can be combined in different ways to create main subject streams.
History is one of the many elective modules offered, and an overview of the syllabus content is shown below.
Term 1
The Growth of Empires c.1857-1919
- Explaining Empire: general causes of imperialism such as economics and competition; the role of chartered companies such as the East India Company; attitudes towards empire
- Expanding Empires: implications for British rule such as rebellion in India; the Suez Canal; investigation of geo-political rivalries; informal empire; colonial management through direct and indirect rule
- Legacy of Empire: impact of empire on Britain; discussions around how far Britain benefited from empire; impact on international relations in the build up to the First World War
Term 2
The Search for Peace and Stability c.1919-1939
- Development of Communism: the Russian Revolution; attempted revolutions of 1920; the Chinese Civil War
- Establishment of Collective Security: strengths and weaknesses of the League of Nations
- Impact of Global Economic Crisis: effect of interdependency; rise of extremes and events in the 1930s such as the Italian invasion of Abyssinia and appeasement of Nazi Germany
Term 3
- Establishment of two ideological blocs: aftermath of the Second World War and the Peace Conferences
- ‘Hot’ Conflicts: a study of conflicts such as the Korean War and the conflict in Vietnam
Sample subject combinations with History
- History, Economics, Law
- History, Government and Politics, Economics
- History, Economics, Geography
Sample enrichment activities
- History Film Club
- Visit to Hampton Court Palace
- Houses of Parliament trip
- Bletchley Park visit
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Trinity Arts awards
Sample academic calendar (2023-2024)
Year 1
- 11th: term starts
- Student induction
- 23 – 27th: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs and talks
- 15th: term ends
- End of term exams
- 15th – 16th: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs
- End of term exams
- 22nd: term ends
Recommended reading
Below is a list of text books normally used on this course, as well as books which may help you prepare for your studies prior to arrival. In many cases the textbooks will be supplied by the school, and you may borrow them for the duration of your time at school. However, if you already know what three subjects you want to choose you may prefer to purchase one before you arrive.
- Heinemann Advanced History: The Coming of the Civil War 1603-49 Paperback by David Sharp
- Access to History Context: An Introduction to Stuart Britain, 1603-1714 by Angela Anderson
- Heinemann Advanced History: France in Revolution 1776-1830 (Heinemann Advanced History) by Sally Waller
- Access to History: Napoleon, France and Europe Third Edition by Andrina Stiles and Dylan Rees
- Access to History: Stalin’s Russia 1924-53 4th Edition by Michael Lynch
- Access to History: Germany: The Third Reich 1933-1945 for AQA 3rd Edition: The Third Reich 1933-45 Paperback by Geoff Layton (Author)
Progression
Below are some of the recent students who took the History module, including information about the university they progressed to and the degree course they are doing.
Recent alumni
Louis Bernard Guy Goldstein
- History/Business/Economics/Data/CSS
- University of Reading
- Consumer Behaviour and Marketing with Industrial Training
- History/Economics/Law/Data/CSS
- King’s College London
- History and International Relations
- History/Business/Government & Politics/Data/CSS
- Oxford Brookes University
- Law
- History/Economics/Geography/Data/CSS
- Lancaster University
- History
- History/Art & Design/Government & Politics/Data/CSS
- City University
- Psychology
