About this course

The History AS programme is a one-year course of study and should be taken in conjunction with two or three other subjects and the Welsh Baccalaureate.

Based at our City Centre campus in Cardiff, this qualification offers learners the opportunity to develop and practice the skills of an historian, covering a breadth of study areas.

What you will study

During the course the following areas will be covered:

Unit 1:

Government, Rebellion and Society in Wales and England c.1485-1603

Students will consider developments in Wales and England over a broad timescale considering significant topics and their links such as:

The significance of the main changes in politics and government 1485- 1603
The significance of the main developments in religion 1529-1588
The significance of the main protests and rebellions against the Tudor monarchs 1509-1569
The extent of social and economic change in the sixteenth century
The changing relationship between Wales and England after 1530

Unit 2: Germany: Democracy to Dictatorship c.1918-1945

Part 1: Weimar and its challenges c.1918-1933

Through analysing and evaluating a range of different types of primary and/or contemporary sources students will explore:

The challenges facing the Weimar republic 1918- 1923
The extent of change in foreign and economic policy 1924-1929
The changing fortunes of the Nazi party 1924- 1933
The crisis of the Weimar republic 1929-1933
Historical interpretations of key issues from this period

Entry requirements

Individual Subject Entry Requirement English Language minimum B B in GCSE History

Teaching and assessment

Two written exams

Important points

The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.

Key information

Start date

3 September 2025

End date

23 June 2026

Time of day

Day Time

Full Time

4.5 hours per week

Location

City Centre Campus, Cardiff

Maps & directions

Course code

ASCC3F09

L3

Qualification

History - AS

"I love studying my course at Cardiff and the Vale College. It is so much fun ! The amount of independence and freedom you get is brilliant and you're treated like an adult,
I honestly love it. At the college I've enjoyed the close relationships I have with my teachers. I genuinely feel like I can go to my teachers with any issue that I’m having and they will really help me work through them."

Gwellian Mellor

Studying A Levels in Film, Dance and Drama

500

Fantastic university progression routes! With hundreds of students gaining places at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other leading universities. In fact, this year more than 500 students achieved their firm or insurance choice through UCAS, with nearly 100 being Russell Group universities!

On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University: