Do you need GCSE to do A level History?

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I had a recent thread about DD's GCSE options. Several posters kindly contributed and the general view was that you could easily do History A level without having done the GCSE.

However, I have spoken to some people since who seem to think that if yhou don't take the GCSE that's that door is closed at at A level.

Which is it?

I'm asking now because, having chosen her options, now DD is not happy with them and is thinking of dropping History.

The admission policy of your chosen sixth form should be on their website, and that should detail their entry requirements. I think it varies by setting.

I don't know any sixth form that will let you direct entry into A level history without GCSE history but it's worth looking on the websites and ringing round to see.

It may depend on the requirements of the individual school. In my DDs school, you can do History A Level as long as you get a good GCSE grade in one of the humanities subjects, ie History or Geography.
She didn't do History GSCE, but as she achieved a high enough grade on GCSE Geography, she was allowed to take History at A Level. Probably worth checking with the school /college where she is intending to study A Levels

History is a hard A level. There's masses of content, the NEA is tough and they want you to analyse in a very particular way. If you haven't done it at GCSE I think you'd be at a disadvantage in terms of the skills even though the periods studied would be very different.

Thank you all.

It didn't occur met me to look at the A level info on the website! The GCSE one, which we do have, is not very informative about progression.

It literally says - "The course is focused on aspects of modern History not covered at GCSE. The aim of the course is to develop an interest in and enthusiasm for history whilst acquiring an understanding of different identities within society and an appreciation of aspects such as social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity."

Good point about the skills themselves. DD is doing Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, which I'd have thought qualifies as a Humanity. However, this is a brand new option and I do wonder how it's 'officially' regarded.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

I think it will depend on the school/college at which she is looking to do A levels. My DD is Y11 and has recently gone through the application process for sixth form. She hasn't done History GCSE but was considering it for A level so we asked the same question. Her current school said she could do History A level as long as she gets a 7 in English Language, and the sixth form college also said no need for GCSE History but they wanted a 7 in Geography. She actually decided against History in the end and has opted for Politics instead.

Just checked 2 of our local sixth form colleges and they both say you don’t need to have studied it at GCSE to do it at A level.

Thank you for both new replies.

So it looks as if the GCSE is not strictly necessary, but instead she may need a good mark in English. That should hopefully not be an issue, English and writing in general are 'her thing'. But I do worry about PP mentioning Geography instead.

I think I'll email the History teacher directly to clarify.

It seems a lot would depend on the 'status' of this new RPE GCSE. It's a bit of an unknown, that one. May start a thread on that too! 🙈

It depends on the school but it is perfectly possible for a literate, enthusiastic student to study history at A Level without GCSE. The key is a willingness to read around the subject and an ability to analyse effectively. It can also depend on the exam board: some are more accessible than others. A student with a good humanities GCSE (such as RPE) and solid literacy skills will certainly be able to tackle it.

Ours does - prospectus is clear: History or English GCSE at Level 6.

Thanks Viogner, your comment that RPE is a good humanity subject gives me hope.

Most people I've mention it to think RPE is a 'soft' subject and a waste of time. Which puzzles me.

It'll depend on the 6th form / college, and maybe what other GCSEs she's taking. Skills can be learnt from many other subjects.

I might be able to help with whatever queries you've got about RPE. Feel free to ask!

My areas closest college requires either a 5 in history and English language. Or if history was not taken at gcse a 5 in English language and a 5 in either English lit, religious studies or sociology.

If she isn't enjoying it at GCSE why would she want to do it at A level?

I did A level history without doing GCSE History back in the day…

Is she planning to stay in the same school for her a-levels? Our school told me the other day not to overthink the GCSE choices in terms of A-levels because apart from a few subjects like Maths or languages, it was fine to pick up a subject (like history or geography) fresh for A-levels. If you want to apply for a 6th form elsewhere though, I'm 99% certain you'd need the same subjects, (and good grades etc.).

It's because it's "newish" and has less content to it but it's a solid foundation because it requires the ability to form reasoned arguments. Ultimately it is the skills that are important rather than previous knowledge. I have tutored many students at A Level who didn't do the GCSE and it has never caused a serious problem except for those who didn't do the work.

Thanks for all the new replies. It really looks as if she'll be fine then.

She's likely to stay in the same school. She likes the idea of change in theory but in reality she's needed 2 and a half years to feel remotely confortable in the school...

elephant , she loves History, always has done, enjoying it and going well. But she's now had a change of heart and wants to do a wild card choice instead. Which is why we think she may want to go back to it for A level.

@mummymummymummummum , yes please, that's very kind of you. It's the first time school offers it and no one can tell me a lot about it.

Do you know how well regarded (or not) it is for uni entry?

I am personally a bit disappointed that the GCSE curriculum focuses mostly on religion, and not a lot of P&E, but DD really likes it and it seems that the A level goes deeply into those. Is that the case?

Thanks!

Is it GCSE or A Level RPE that you're talking about?

Thank you Viogner , that sounds very positive.

@mummymummymummummum I'd be interested in the GCSE mostly, but would also like to find out if it improves (goes broader) at A level. Thank you!

If she loves history and is good at it and already considering it for A level it would seem a really obvious choice for GCSE surely? Even if not a prerequisite there will surely be some advantage to doing it not least to give her a chance to make sure she does really like it. I don't think you need to worry about what universities might think about gcses.

A Level RPE is very highly regarded by universities across the board. It's not generally a facilitating subject, but good to have as an additional (say on top of chemistry and physics/biology if you're applying for medicine). It's a difficult A Level, but to do well requires a lots of (transferable) skills.

6th forms etc I'm familiar with look at GCSE English scores for admission to the A level rather than GCSE RPE. Because the GCSE is just very different.

When looking at the syllabus try to look beyond the content to the actual skills required/taught.

There are several syllabuses obviously, and schools still have some element of choice within a syllabus. So can't comment on your exact courses.

Sorry, missed your later question. The GCSE can be quite Christianity heavy, depends on which option the school have chosen. There are some good themes to get their teeth into though! Peace & conflict, human rights, social justice are all options.

The A Level is a lot more P&E. AQA syllabus is split into 'philosophy of religion' and 'ethics and religion'

If you can find out which exam board, and which spec the school are doing then the exam board website will be able to fill you in on content etc.

fruitpastille , you'd think so, wouldn't you? I do too. But it's up to her and I just want to be informed. Her reasoning is that she would quite like to do the wild card (Art) and won't have a chance again, and she can pick up History later if she wants to. I must say, I find her reasoning quite sound! I think she should do a fun subject too. The others are all terribly serious - and she is is a terribly serious child.

mummymummy, thanks very much.

Her school syllabus is definitely very R heavy and centered around Christianity and Islam only (which, again, I find a bit narrow, but I think that's the rule - they can do two religions only) albeit in contexts- crime and punishment, family, etc.

Regarding the skills, I am not sure how you can have the same level of opinion/discussion when talking ethics or religion, mostly because of the existence of dogma, but I hope they'll go into dissenting voices etc. too.

As for uni admisions, would you say that RPE is considered on a par with a language? As in, not a requirement but it shows you are capable of a certain level of work and skill.

Great tip about the examination board. Have got those details, can look it up.
Thanks mummymummy !