History is growing in popularity. UK entries rose 5% in 2026 to almost 47,000, making it the seventh most popular A level. It is one of the most respected essay subjects, valued for law, politics, journalism and the civil service. Here is what it involves, where it can take you, and how to tell whether it is right for you.
1. What you actually study
Every A level History course must span at least 200 years, include at least 20% British history, and combine broad studies of change over at least 100 years with detailed depth studies. Within that, schools choose from a wide range of options, from the Tudors and Stuart Britain to Russia, Germany, the USA and the Cold War. Ask which topics your sixth form teaches, because they vary a lot.
2. Who it suits
Students who enjoy reading, arguing a case, and asking why events happened and how we know. If you like debating and don’t mind long reading lists, you’ll probably enjoy it.
3. GCSE grades you’ll usually need
Many sixth forms ask for a grade 6 in GCSE History. Some accept students who didn’t take GCSE History if they have a good English grade instead. One example asks for a 5 in History, a 6 in English Literature or a 5 in English Language. Requirements vary, so check each prospectus.
4. How it’s assessed
80% exams and 20% coursework (non-exam assessment), with all three major boards. With AQA, you sit two 2 hour 30 minute exams and write a 3,500–4,500-word independent investigation. Edexcel and OCR have three exams and a 3,000–4,000-word coursework essay. The coursework lets you research a question of your own choosing.
5. Skills you’ll develop
Analysing sources, weighing up interpretations, building a sustained argument, independent research, referencing, and clear, persuasive writing. These are exactly the skills law firms, newsrooms and policy teams look for.
6. Subjects it pairs well with
English Literature, Politics, a modern or classical language, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Economics. If you’re interested in PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), consider adding Maths: Oxford says most of its successful PPE applicants had taken it. History also sits well alongside the sciences and gives a strong essay subject to a science-heavy mix.
7. Degrees that require it
History degrees at many leading universities require or strongly recommend it. Cambridge requires A level History, with a typical offer of A*AA. Durham asks for an A in History. Oxford says History is “highly recommended”, and applicants submit a written essay.
8. Degrees where it helps
Law, Politics, International Relations, PPE, Archaeology, Classics, English, Journalism and Philosophy. Oxford says an essay subject can be helpful for Law and that History is a useful background for PPE. Cambridge lists History among the subjects past Archaeology applicants have commonly taken.
9. Apprenticeships it leads to
The Solicitor apprenticeship (Level 7) lets you qualify as a solicitor without a degree. Since January 2026, public funding has only covered starters aged 21 or under. Other routes include the Policy Officer apprenticeship (Level 4), journalism apprenticeships at Level 5 and above, and Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant (Level 3).
10. Careers it leads to directly
Prospects lists archivist, museum curator, heritage manager, conservation officer and secondary history teacher as directly related jobs. It also lists solicitor, journalist, civil servant, policy officer, politician’s assistant, publishing and marketing as jobs where a history degree is useful.
11. Careers you might not expect
Intelligence analysis, diplomacy, management consultancy, banking, documentary research, television and podcast production, and game writing. Employers value history graduates because they can research quickly, judge evidence and write well. Prospects reports that only 7% of history graduates went into teaching.
12. Routes that don’t involve university
Law firms, councils, the civil service, media companies and heritage organisations all recruit apprentices. Search live vacancies on the government’s Find an apprenticeship service. The National Archives and the National Council for the Training of Journalists both explain apprenticeship routes into their fields.
13. Common myths
- “It’s just memorising dates.” The exams test how you analyse sources and interpretations, and 20% of your grade comes from your own research project.
- “It only leads to teaching.” Law, journalism, the civil service, policy and finance all recruit history graduates.
- “You need GCSE History.” Often helpful, but some sixth forms accept a strong English grade instead.
14. How hard it really is
History rewards steady effort more than last-minute cramming. In 2026, 5.8% of UK entries got an A*, according to the Historical Association’s analysis, below the all-subject figure of 9.6%. The reading load and essay technique are the biggest challenges, and students who read widely and practise timed essays do best.
15. Clubs, competitions and wider reading
Universities run essay competitions for sixth formers, such as St Hugh’s College Oxford’s Julia Wood History Essay Competition and Trinity College Cambridge’s history essay prize. The Historical Association’s podcasts include more than 500 talks by historians. Visiting museums, archives and historic sites will also give you material for essays and personal statements.
16. Questions to ask at sixth form open evenings
- Which exam board and which topics do you teach?
- Can I choose my own coursework question?
- Do I need GCSE History to take the A level?
- How do you help students develop essay technique?
- Do you run trips, or support essay competitions and Oxbridge applications?
17. Is it right for you? A quick checklist
- I enjoy reading and asking why things happened.
- I like building and defending an argument.
- I’m happy writing long essays.
- The idea of researching my own question appeals.
- I’m considering law, politics, journalism, heritage or the civil service.
If you ticked most of these, A level History is worth serious thought.
Find out more
- DfE: A level History subject content (PDF)
- Historical Association: A level History results analysis 2026 (PDF)
- AQA A level History: specification at a glance
- University of Cambridge: History
- University of Oxford: History
- Prospects: What can I do with a history degree?
Entry requirements change each year. Always check the latest details with the sixth form, university or employer. Looking at other post-16 options too? Read our guide to V Levels, or browse all our A level subject guides.