Back to search results

History - Early Modern A Level

High Storrs School

High Storrs Road, Sheffield, S11 7LH

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
History, Philosophy and Theology

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
High Storrs School
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

AQA A Level Early Modern History

Course Details

As part of this course, students will undertake a Breadth Study, Depth Study and complete a coursework essay.

The Breadth Study explores Spain in the Age of Discovery between 1469 and 1598, covering the forging of a new state, the drive to ‘Great Power’ status, the ‘Golden Age’ and Spain: the ‘Great Power’.

The Depth Study explores the Wars of the Roses between 1450 and 1499, specifically the origins of the conflict, the War of the Barons, the triumph of the Yorkists, the reign of Edward IV, the downfall of the Yorkist Monarchy and the end of the Yorkist Dynasty.

Coursework will be completed throughout the two years looking at the witch hunts in Britain, Northern Europe and America exploring the North Berwick witches in Scotland, the Lancashire witches, the Great Witch Hunt in Germany, Matthew Hopkins and the witch craze and Cotton Mather and the Salem witch hunt.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Paper 1 - 40%

• Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598

Paper 2 - 40%

• The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499

Non-Exam Assessment (Coursework) - 20%

• 4500 word coursework essay

• The Witch Hunts in Britain, Northern Europe and America

Entry requirements

A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 9 – 4. This MUST include:

• Mathematics Grade 4 AND

• English Language Grade 5 OR

• English Literature Grade 5 AND English Language Grade 4

Plus

Grade 5 in History (if studied)

AND Grade 5 in English Language OR Literature

Your next steps...

This History course could lead to a university degree, either straight History or as a combined course (e.g. with Politics or Economics). It also is useful for careers in Law, Politics, Journalism, Teaching, Museum and Archive work, Local and National Government, Librarianship and Industrial Management and is widely respected and valued by many employers.

Additional information


For more courses like this, check our courses page.