edexcel history coursework deadline

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – A Guide

• Post author By admin
• Post date November 16, 2023
• No Comments on A Level History Coursework Edexcel – A Guide

This guide shows you how to plan, research and write A Level History coursework for Edexcel using ideas, resources, examples and structure. This coursework is weighted towards Assessment Objective Three (AO3) 15% and Assessment Objective One (AO1) 5%. This makes it substantially different from coursework assessed under AQA or OCR. For Edexcel coursework, the focus is on differing interpretations of the past and analysis of them, alongside your own view of the events.

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – Ideas, Examples and Resources

Question Format – The question that you decide to answer for the Edexcel Coursework will always use the following template.

• Historians have disagreed about [ the chosen question, problem or issue ].
• What is your view about [ the chosen question, problem or issue ]?

Thus, we can see that there are two parts to this coursework:

• Part 1 – dealing with the historian’s viewpoints which is (AO3) and worth 15%
• Part 2 – your own viewpoint which is (A01) and worth 5%  

Question Ideas, Example and Selection

There are two key points to consider when selecting a question, problem or issue for your coursework.

• Is there enough debate around this question? – There needs to be a scholarly debate around the question or issue. This means differing views on the question from different historians. This makes it easier to select appropriate works to analyse and compare.
• Can you access the appropriate resources? – You must use a minimum of three different key works as well as two supplementary works. Your three key works should hold opposing views about the question or issue. Let’s look at an example question to make this clear:

Historians have disagreed about the extent to which by 1924 the Russian people had exchanged one authoritarian regime for another. What is your view about the extent to which by 1924 the Russian people had exchanged one authoritarian regime for another?

• View 1 – Tsarist Rule was more authoritarian. (C. Hill argues this)
• View 2 – Bolshevik rule was more authoritarian. (R. Service argues this)
• View 3 – The regimes were equally authoritarian. (R. Pipes argues this)

This is the ideal example of having three viewpoints that would be spread across the historiographical spectrum. This helps us to engage with the historical debate and hit the following criteria for the coursework:

• analyse ways in which interpretations of the question or issue differ.
• explain the differences you have identified.
• evaluate the arguments, indicating which you found most persuasive and why.

You would then add to this a minimum of two supplementary works, (more is better) that would assist in helping you form your view and add weight to your analysis and arguments. Critically, you must be able to access all these resources to use them effectively in completing the coursework.  

Coursework Resources

• Library – school, local, college, university – you should be able to borrow appropriate works.
• Teacher – your teacher should be able to provide you with copies of appropriate resources to use.
• JSTOR – www.jstor.org – contains a large collection of journal articles from historical publications covering numerous topics. These will often engage in the historical debate by replying to opposing views.
• Purchase Books – many second-hand books are available to purchase at very cheap prices through Amazon or similar sites.

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – How to Research and Write

Researching the Coursework – When researching our coursework we use the resource record form, which acts as a bibliography to the books, articles and online resources we are using. As we go through these resources we want to make notes that help us to identify the overall argument of the historian. Key quotes or passages should be noted down, alongside a reference. If we then use this material in our write up, we can add the appropriate footnote.

Writing the Coursework – When writing our coursework we need to be aware of the total word count as well as making sure that we hit all the assessment criteria. This means dividing up the 4000 words (maximum word count) effectively between the assessment criteria. An example structure to implement this is shown in the next section.

A Level History Coursework Edexcel – Structure and Planning

First section – introduction to the overall question and key works (c. 1000 words).

Introduction to the overall topic. You need to put the question into context by providing relevant information regarding what was happening at the time. You then need to define any key terms in the question.

Example from our question above – authoritarian regime would be defined as ‘a regime in which power is highly centralised and maintained regardless of popular support, with the use of repression and violence’.

Finally, you need to set out valid criteria by which the question can be judged.

Example from our question and definition above – we need to compare the Tsarist regime to the Bolshevik regime in terms of:

• Centralisation of power .
• Power maintained despite lacking popular support.
• Power maintained through repression and violence.

You should now have a complete introduction to the topic (1 paragraph)

Introduction to the debate by placing each of the key works in the historiographical debate. You can also place your supplementary works on the historiographical line here. (1 paragraph)

Set out the arguments in extended detail from the three key works. What are the historians’ views on this question? (1 paragraph)

Show how the arguments from each of the key works differ or are like one another. (1 paragraph)

Summary of the views of the key works. (1 paragraph)

Second Section – Explaining why the key works differ from one another (c. 1000 words)

Introduction – You need to set out three valid criteria to explain why the key works differ. Why is it that the historians’ arguments differ? There are several different potential criteria that could be used here: When was the work written? What sources and evidence did they use? Have they defined the key terms of the question differently? Have they defined the criteria to answer the question differently? Do they have different scopes of enquiry? What is the purpose of the work? What is the historians background and view?

Example from our question – The historians have defined the key term to answer the question differently – C. Hill has focused on authoritarian being defined as lacking popular support. R. Service is more focused on authoritarian being defined through repression. R. Pipes is mostly focused on authoritarian being defined as a centralisation of power.  

The historians have defined the key term ‘authoritarian’ differently. (1 paragraph)    

Paragraphs – This is where you use the criteria set out from the introduction to this section. You want one paragraph per item of criteria that we are judging the key works on.

Example from our question – one paragraph regarding how the historians have defined the key term ‘authoritarian’ differently.

Then you need to consider the three works in terms of the criteria set out for that paragraph. Show why there are differences in the key works regarding that criteria and how that leads the historian to arrive at their interpretation. Use evidence to support your points. (3 paragraphs – 1 for each criterion)

Conclusion – Brief conclusion that offers a summary of why the key works are different. (1 paragraph)

Third Section – Your own viewpoint on the question (c. 1000 words)

Brief introduction of your own viewpoint and line of argument that will be taken, remembering to re-instate the criteria by which the question can be judged . (1 paragraph)

Paragraphs that set out your own view on the question. This is where you should be using the criteria set out in your introductions. You want one paragraph per item of criteria.

Example from our question – one paragraph regarding ‘centralisation of power’.

Then you need to bring evidence and analysis to assess the criteria being judged. You can also use the key works and the supplementary works in this section to help you. (3 paragraphs – 1 for each criterion)

Conclusion that reaches a judgement on the question and follows your line of argument that has flowed throughout. (1 paragraph)

Fourth Section – Evaluation and Judgement of the key works and of the question (c. 1000 words)

Go through each of the key works and make a judgement on how convincing and valid the arguments from the historians are compared to the criteria. (3 paragraphs – 1 for each key work)

Form an overall judgement on the question and an overall judgement on which of the key works is most convincing. These should broadly align together. (1 paragraph)   

How To Improve Further at A Level History

Pass A Level History – is our sister site, which shows you step by step, how to most effectively answer any A Level History extract, source or essay question. Please click the following link to visit the site and get access to your free preview lesson. www.passalevelhistory.co.uk

Previous and Next Blog Posts

Previous – A Level History Essay Structure – A Guide passhistoryexams.co.uk/a-level-history-essay-structure/

Next – A Level History Coursework AQA – A Guide passhistoryexams.co.uk/a-level-history-coursework-aqa/

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

IGCSE History

Through the study of some of the most intriguing and tumultuous periods in human history, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of key events, people, and societies, and learn how to ask relevant questions about the past. Essential for anyone who wishes to study history at A-level or at university , this course has been created by subject specialists to equip you with key skills such as critical thinking, essay writing, and analysis.

Delve into the past and the power it holds to help us understand the present with our fascinating, dynamic History IGCSE course

You’ll begin by studying Germany between 1918 and 1945, exploring the development and collapse of democracy, and the rise and fall of Nazism, and discovering how Hitler & the Nazis used a variety of factors to take complete control of the country. Moving on, you’ll delve into the conflict and tension of the interwar years, discovering the events which led to the start of the Second World War.

Next, you’ll immerse yourself in the Cold War, one of the most dangerous times in recent history You’ll explore the difference between capitalism and communism and how this is at the root of the standoff between the USA and USSR. You’ll go on to study the changes in medicine between 1848 and 1948, exploring how our understanding of and attitudes towards public health developed over this century, and how this, along with the rapid development of technologies made medical treatments and diagnoses more effective.

Finally, you’ll undertake a historical investigation that looks at the origins and the course of the First World War, learning about the system of alliances before 1914 and the key issues that pushed Europe to war, ultimately exploring how Germany was defeated.

What you will learn

Unit 1 - germany 1890-1945: democracy and dictatorship.

• Germany and the growth of democracy
• Germany and the Depression
• The experiences of Germans under the Nazis

Unit 2 - BB Conflict and Tension: The Inter-War Years 1918–1939

• Peacemaking
• Treaty of Versaille
• The League of Nations and international peace
• The origins and outbreak of the Second World War

Unit 3 - BA Norman England: c1066 – c1100

• The Norman conquest and control
• Life under the Normans
• The Norman Church and Monasticism

Unit 4 - AA Britain: Health and the People c1000 to the Present Day

• Medicine stands still
• The beginnings of change
• A revolution in medicine
• Modern medicine

Unit 5 - Preparing for Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World (AB and BB)

• Preparing for Paper 1
• Paper 1 Section A
• Paper 1 Section B
• Punctuation in exams

Unit 6 - Preparing for Paper 2: Shaping the Nation (BA and AA)

• Preparing for Paper 2
• Grade Descriptors
• Paper 2 Section A
• Paper 2 Section B

Awarding Body

Edexcel is the UK’s largest awarding organisation offering academic and vocational qualifications in schools, colleges and workplaces in the UK and abroad. Edexcel is a multinational education and examination body covering  A-Level Courses  and  GCSE Courses .

Course Outcome

Upon successful completion of this History distance learning course, you will receive a GCSE certificate in History, issued by Edexcel . This syllabus ( 4HI1 ) has been chosen specifically because it is best suited to distance learning.

How is this course assessed or examined?

You’ll be required to complete the two IGCSE standard written exams:

• Germany: development of dictatorship, 1918–45
• A world divided: superpower relations, 1943–72
• The origins and course of the First World War, 1905–18
• Changes in medicine, c1848–c1948

We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our partner exam centres around the UK. Check where your closest exam centre is.

During your course, you will also be required to complete various assignments. These do not contribute towards your final grade but provide you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor for marking and feedback. This will help you to gauge your progress as you work through the course. There is no coursework to complete.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this Edexcel IGCSE History course, however, it is recommended that you have an intermediate ability to read and write in English.

Past Papers

You can access past papers for this course . They are free to access and cover a range of exam boards.

Find out more about the exams here .

All done through MyOxbridge

Get a printed version delivered to you.

Pay £ by card or mobile payment

from £ /month with OmniCapital

We offer a wide variety of payment options to suite you. Find out how affordable our courses are .

Courses Taught by Experts

Early years.

Beginning my career as an early years practitioner inspired me to step into the world of teaching. I have since elevated my skillset through a range of qualifications including L3 in Assessing Vocational Achievement, L 3 in Education & Training and L4 in Internal Quality Assurance. I’m a big kid at heart ; I love Disney movies and also dabble in photography.   

Counselling and Psychology

I always knew that a career focused around helping people achieve their goals was perfect for me . That’s why I bec a me a tutor . I love to see my student ’s confidence flourish as they progress through their course s . I t’s important to help them fit the ir learning goals around their personal commitment s so they have the best chance of success !  

STEM and History of Art

Marine biology, jellyfish conservationist, hairdresser, fitness instructor… I have an eclectic backstory! Art is my passion and one of my proudest moments was achieving my Masters in Fine Art. I then requalified as an Art teacher to share my knowledge with my students. For most of my career, I’ve supported vulnerable students with additional needs such as SEMH and SEN.

Health care

For 10+ years, my passion for helping learners develop and grow has driven my career as a teacher . To help me progress even further, I am currently studying to achieve the IQA award . I love reading and I’m a self-professed Harry Potter fan. Talk to me about all things history, rock music, tattoos and true crime podcasts.  

Education and Childcare

My 30-year stride in education started with childminding, to working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I then tutored in a national reading programme and went on to become a Higher-Level TA. I’m elated to say I graduated with a First-Class BA Honours Degree when I was 50 – living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!

No answers found, but we might still be able to help

• Call us on 0121 630 3000
• Chat to us online

Can I sign up for a Student Beans account and get Student Discounts?

Exam results: i need to resit my exams, can i enrol with oxbridge, exam results: when will i receive my certificate.

Wondering what to do next? There are so many options available, it's important to get the right advice. Whether your choice is to continue onto further education, go into job training or get an apprenticeship and whether your grades are high or low - there are always options! Speak to an adviser today to see how we can support you on your next steps...

Exam Results: I didn't pass English or Maths, what do I do next?

Exam results: i have individual unit marks, but no overall grade. what should i do, exam results: i haven't done as well as i expected in my exams. is there anything i can do, how do i choose what gcses to take, can gcses help you get a place at university, how long does it take to gain a gcse as an adult, do universities prefer igcses or gcses, why study gcse courses or igcse courses with oxbridge, why study gcse courses or igcse courses online, is igcse harder than gcse, can adults take gcse courses, what does gcse stand for, how much do exams cost.

Customer Reviews

Will I get caught if I buy an essay?

The most popular question from clients and people on the forums is how not to get caught up in the fact that you bought an essay, and did not write it yourself. Students are very afraid that they will be exposed and expelled from the university or they will simply lose their money, because they will have to redo the work themselves.

If you've chosen a good online research and essay writing service, then you don't have to worry. The writers from the firm conduct their own exploratory research, add scientific facts and back it up with the personal knowledge. None of them copy information from the Internet or steal ready-made articles. Even if this is not enough for the client, he can personally go to the anti-plagiarism website and check the finished document. Of course, the staff of the sites themselves carry out such checks, but no one can forbid you to make sure of the uniqueness of the article for yourself.

Thanks to the privacy policy on web platforms, no one will disclose your personal data and transfer to third parties. You are completely safe from start to finish.

Customer Reviews

First, you have to sign up, and then follow a simple 10-minute order process. In case you have any trouble signing up or completing the order, reach out to our 24/7 support team and they will resolve your concerns effectively.

Eloise Braun

Will I get caught if I buy an essay?

The most popular question from clients and people on the forums is how not to get caught up in the fact that you bought an essay, and did not write it yourself. Students are very afraid that they will be exposed and expelled from the university or they will simply lose their money, because they will have to redo the work themselves.

If you've chosen a good online research and essay writing service, then you don't have to worry. The writers from the firm conduct their own exploratory research, add scientific facts and back it up with the personal knowledge. None of them copy information from the Internet or steal ready-made articles. Even if this is not enough for the client, he can personally go to the anti-plagiarism website and check the finished document. Of course, the staff of the sites themselves carry out such checks, but no one can forbid you to make sure of the uniqueness of the article for yourself.

Thanks to the privacy policy on web platforms, no one will disclose your personal data and transfer to third parties. You are completely safe from start to finish.

Emery Evans