I really want to do History A level - distance

[TheOrigRights]

I'd really like to improve my history knowledge.
What I learnt at school is shameful. Most of my knowledge comes from reading historical fiction.

I know I can just read or watch stuff but I am attracted by following a course, being taught, having to follow a curriculum, doing course work etc....basically the formality and accountability of it.

I've had a quick look online and there are about 70 million different options.
Where do you start to look? What should I consider?

I work full time from home and am a single parent to a 12 year old (and 22 yo...but he's not here!). I'm busy and I love doing a lot of sport, but I think I have scope for this as well.

Following as I have thought the same.

Me too

I'll have to get a register if more people turn up!

It’s not quite the same but have you considered doing some of the distance learning courses which a lot of universities offer these days?

I'm doing a history and English degree online. It's for mature students, only entry requirement is being over 23. It's made up of modules though, so some people are just doing history or English or the other subjects on offer. It's with Dublin City University and there are other students from all over the world.

www.dcu.ie/courses/undergraduate/open-education/english-and-history

The first two modules cover European history from the Renaissance to the present day. So they could be what you're after.

www101.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=2&subcode=HIS1

www101.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=2&subcode=HIS2

Don't want to puddle on your bonfire but it can be expensive.
You have the course cost plus the exam fees. It's somewhere in the region of £300+ just to sit the exam.
If that hasn't put you off, look at Wolsey Hall distance learning. They are probably one of the more expensive providers but very good.

I did history ALevel many yonks ago, so the system might have changed, but we studied two fairly random eras in great detail, and absolutely nothing else. So 19th century Europe and effing AJP Taylor, loads of that. British history from 1914 to 1964, yup, that's me. And absolutely nothing to fill in the gaps. A-Level and above doesn't really give you a good general knowledge of history (unless it's changed hugely recently) - it's about teaching methods of historical analysis with a few isolated case studies. The rest you're meant to fill in yourself. YouTube is remarkably good (if you're selective), or the History Channel. I'm learning about the Late Bronze Age collapse right now - fascinating stuff.

But given that you do want a course and formal accountability, the distance-learning course mentioned by Frog sounds waaay broader than our A-Level, really interesting.

@RuleOfCat

I did history ALevel many yonks ago, so the system might have changed, but we studied two fairly random eras in great detail, and absolutely nothing else. So 19th century Europe and effing AJP Taylor, loads of that. British history from 1914 to 1964, yup, that's me. And absolutely nothing to fill in the gaps. A-Level and above doesn't really give you a good general knowledge of history (unless it's changed hugely recently) - it's about teaching methods of historical analysis with a few isolated case studies. The rest you're meant to fill in yourself. YouTube is remarkably good (if you're selective), or the History Channel. I'm learning about the Late Bronze Age collapse right now - fascinating stuff.

I think I did the same board. European from 1870, but only truly France, Germany and Russia British from 1906 to 1945 but not the wars. AJP Taylor and documents from parliament.

I'll have to get a register if more people turn up!

I am glad it's not just me with woeful history knowledge. The way we were taught 'in the past' was very odd!

www.futurelearn.com/courses/the-tudors

Free 6 week courses from the University of Roehampton. This one is excellent - I did it over first lockdown.

You can pay for a certificate of completion at the end if you like. I didn't bother as I did it for my own satisfaction.

Also - check out the Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education Courses. The teaching component looks good and a range of eras to choose from: www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/courses-subject

[quote MindYourLanguage]Also - check out the Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education Courses. The teaching component looks good and a range of eras to choose from: www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/courses-subject[/quote]
I did a course there a year ago - Post Grad Cert. It was lovely to hang out at Madingley Hall for the in-person teaching.
I'm not sure why an A level appeals to me; maybe some sort of nostalgia.
I will have a look at ICE though.

@MargaretFraggle

I'll have to get a register if more people turn up!

I am glad it's not just me with woeful history knowledge. The way we were taught 'in the past' was very odd!

The only thing I seem to have retained is something about crop rotation and people climbing out of the window onto the flat roof

@CarrieErbag

Don't want to puddle on your bonfire but it can be expensive. You have the course cost plus the exam fees. It's somewhere in the region of £300+ just to sit the exam. If that hasn't put you off, look at Wolsey Hall distance learning. They are probably one of the more expensive providers but very good.

Thank you. Yes, I remember being quite alarmed when I've browsed these things before, so I'm prepared for it not to be cheap. I can afford it though fortunately.

If you are thinking about doing an A level exam OP, I would first find somewhere that would allow you to take the exam as an external candidate (if the course you are taking does not arrange the exam for you) and that will give you the syllabus you'll need to follow.

[quote frogswimming]I'm doing a history and English degree online. It's for mature students, only entry requirement is being over 23. It's made up of modules though, so some people are just doing history or English or the other subjects on offer. It's with Dublin City University and there are other students from all over the world.

www.dcu.ie/courses/undergraduate/open-education/english-and-history[/quote]
Thank you, but I'm not looking for a full time degree.

@MindYourLanguage - thank you for the link... some of the courses look great!
-just need to convince DH that my time is well spent doing the odd weekend course--

The only thing I seem to have retained is something about crop rotation

I have a fairly clear memory of learning about tenant farmers and the teacher crying a lot

Then nothing until between the wars. Useful...

I've exclusively learnt my history from a heady mix of time team, antiques road show, black adder, money python, horrible histories and more recently Hamilton.

The Simon schema history of modern Britain slapped a bit of gloss on there, but not sure where facts stop and light entertainment begins!

I've exclusively learnt my history from a heady mix of time team, antiques road show, black adder, money python, horrible histories and more recently Hamilton.

Me too Also Asterix books!

Haven’t RTFT but PK as have been thinking about this also!

"Thank you, but I'm not looking for a full time degree."

Sorry I don't think I was clear. You don't have to do a full degree you can just do a module if you like. So you could just do the two foundation modules on European history, one per year.

I’ve just ordered a few BBC dvds the story of Ireland was one. Already have Mary beards and Simon Sharma and also just ordered one on Jerusalem - I scratch my history itch with documentary, bbc history magazine, English heritage etc - recently we have been learning about the Romans etc we select one each year to study at home and then try to find out as much as possible