History A-Level is one of the most respected and widely studied humanities at sixth form, and one of the most demanding for students who haven't developed extended essay technique. It's also a prerequisite — or a strong advantage — for History, Law, Politics, PPE, International Relations, Economics and Philosophy degrees at competitive universities.
Why students find History A-Level difficult
- Extended essay writing. History A-Level is essentially a subject about writing historically — constructing argument-led essays that engage with historiography, deploy accurate evidence and reach a supported judgement. Students who describe events rather than arguing a thesis consistently underperform.
- Historiography requirements. At A-Level (and especially at A2), students are expected to engage with historians' interpretations — to know that Revisionist historians of the Third Reich like Ian Kershaw disagree with Functionalists like Hans Mommsen, and to use this disagreement to construct an argument. This is unfamiliar intellectual territory for most Year 12 students.
- Source analysis. All major boards include source-based questions requiring students to evaluate primary and secondary sources for utility, reliability and significance. The marking criteria are specific and counterintuitive — students often lose marks for evaluating a source's content rather than its provenance and purpose.
- Volume of content. History A-Level requires mastery of multiple topics spanning different periods and regions. The breadth of factual knowledge required — while also developing essay technique — is a heavy load.
History A-Level exam boards
AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas (WJEC) are the main boards. All require extended writing, source analysis and a coursework component (typically 20% of the total mark). Edexcel uses a different source paper structure to AQA; OCR has its own theme-based format. Topics vary widely — British political history, American history, European modern history and the Cold War are all popular options. Always confirm your board and module choices before booking a tutor.
What to look for in a History A-Level tutor
- History degree. History at A-Level requires genuine historical knowledge. A tutor with a History or related humanities degree brings the subject expertise to teach historiography and source analysis effectively.
- Essay marking with mark scheme annotation. The highest-value skill a History tutor provides is marking complete essay drafts against the mark scheme and giving specific written feedback. Tutors who discuss essays without marking them miss the most important feedback mechanism.
- Exam board and module match. The topics and question formats differ significantly between boards and modules. A tutor who knows your specific board and period will be substantially more effective.
- Oxbridge History preparation. For Oxford and Cambridge History applications, tutors with Oxford or Cambridge History degrees can give candidates a significant advantage with personal statement review, HAT/ELAT preparation and interview practice.
How much does a History A-Level tutor cost?
- History A-Level tutors: £35–£65 per hour
- Tutors with History from Oxford/Cambridge: £55–£90 per hour
- Online History tutoring: Highly effective — essay feedback, document analysis and historiography discussion all work well remotely
Find a History A-Level tutor
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