A Level History for retired learner seeking structure for self study

[Mahler5]

I am retired but have been interested in history topics and visiting historic places for years.
Recently I have read quite a bit on early Saxons, Penda and the growth of Mercia.
I have now started mid 19th Century, Reform Acts, Corn Laws and the formation of Political Parties.

Do you think A Level would give me structure to my studies? I don't know what I know. Most of my reading is from Wikipedia, backed up with both a public and a university library.
Any comments, advice or general chat would be very welcome.

I can't really help, but I had considered similar myself, until I discovered the cost of studying for and taking an ALevel independently. If you've found an affordable way, I'd be very interested.

I’d look for a local history group, and consider an Open University module, before A level myself.

DP would like to do a history course at a local university when he retires. They have extension classes.

Many branches of U3A have history groups or you may have a local history group. I have toyed with the idea of a history degree with OU. They have many short courses available free of charge.

I have not done A levels in any subject so it has to be simple.

I was going to suggest the U3A - they have online courses too, if you'd prefer that:

https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/learning/interest-groups-online/interest-groups-online-groups/igo-world-history

The OU have a lot of structured free courses. I've just done 30 hours on the art of Ancient Egypt. Worth exploring their openlearn courses. They have a number of history and politics courses.
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/art-and-life-ancient-egypt/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
Local universities sometimes have an extra mural studies department or put on free lectures

I haven't used them but have a look what City Lit have to offer in their online courses https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/online (or in person if you're in London). Courses of varying lengths that are a deep dive into different areas of history. Might be the kind of thing you are interested in?

@Janesput Taking an A level independently. How does it work then? How would I get Past papers and model answers? Are these on the website for the Examination board? I have looked at one Board.

Unless I've got it all wrong it seems you need to join a programme, you can't just enter the exam. Either way the "study" element is the cheap but and, including the exam costs about £1500 per subject. Which seems a lot for a qualification I didn't "need" and was only doing for fun.

Thanks Janesput, I had discovered something like that myself and thought it couldn't be right. I have always been naïve and optimistic.
So I will study the time periods I am aiming for.
What subjects attracted you?

I think the problem with A level history is that there is a coursework element which usually requires input from an exam centre - hence not being able to do it via independent study. Also bear in mind that history A level is about taking an academic apporach to history - so analysis etc - rather than just knowing lots about the relevant periods and that can be a bit tricky to learn by yourself.

I am a big fan of MOOCs (massive online courses). They are often a good way to learn around a topic and many are presented by Professors etc at top institutions. I did one a while ago which was presented by a Prof at Harvard and am currently eyeing up one on ancient Rome organised by Sapienzia which regularly tops the international uni league tables for ancient history. Just google "history mooc" and see what comes up.

I second City Lit, the new term will be starting mid-April, so it's a good time to look. As for A Level have a look at the syllabus, if the time periods don't interest you there's no point doing it.

Here's another possibility. The Great Courses (The Teaching Company) do video or audio lecture series by American college lecturers. There are several on British/European/World history. Many of the audio ones are on Audible, so only cost one credit (7.99) No doubt so e of them find their way onto Youtube. Yale Uni also have lecture series on Youtube, but I don't know if there are any history ones.

If it doesn't have to be an A level, this diploma course might be perfect, it teaches you how to research as well as teaching the subject https://lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/about/undergraduate-advanced-diploma-in-local-history

Would something like this be of interest?
https://hillsroad.ac.uk/adult-education/courses/history-england-in-the-middle-ages
This is available online or in person. Your local 6th form college or secondary school may offer something similar.

There is an A Level History course offered with Oxford Open Learning Trust. The info page explains it all and includes the coursework requirements. Exams can be booked through Tutors and Exams as well as other more regional open exam centres.

I think the jump from a-level to degree is not as much as you’d think, and if you’re a mature student and interested in the subject area, I think Open University or some universities offer online modules of their degrees as stand alone courses to study online, would be perfect for you. Sounds interesting, good luck with it.

Thank you all for your input. I have followed all the links and website suggestions. This has helped me make up my mind on what I want to study.
My interest is the 19 Century, The way the Political Parties developed. The Whigs are older. "Free Trade", The Reform Acts, Corn Laws. Later I will turn to the Industrial Revolution.
I shall use Wikipedia and follow up the sources that were used by their contributors. I have Sceptered Isle and some Arthur Bryant books. [I am aware of Bryant being considered sentimental] The County Library will be a source of help as will my local Uni library (Bodleian) I have been granted a Reader's ticket.

Thank You for your kindness in replying to me, sorry I have not taken up your suggestions but you have helped me.

Try openlearn or futurelearn courses as a taster.

From
what I can see of my dc’s history a level course it is necessarily narrow in terms of time periods/subjects plus I suspect the marking scheme
is very prescriptive- I would do all you can to find another way to learn and stretch yourself so your passion is not killed off!