AS & A Level History (9489)

Syllabus overview

From 2027, this syllabus is not available to schools in the USA. We have created new qualification routes specifically for this region. Please see other Cambridge International AS & A Level History qualifications for the US within ‘Important notices’ below.

Cambridge International AS & A Level History is a flexible and wide-ranging syllabus covering modern history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The syllabus:

• builds upon skills gained at Cambridge IGCSE™ or O Level and develops lifelong skills including understanding issues and themes within a historical period
• emphasises both historical knowledge and the skills required for historical research
• encourages learners to develop their independent thinking and to make informed judgements on historical issues
• allows learners to build upon their understanding of cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference, significance, interpretations and use historical evidence as part of their studies
• gives learners a range of topics to study on – European, American or International history
• allows teachers a choice of periods to focus on, enabling them to build a course that reflects their learners’ interests and staff specialisms, or which is relevant to the local or regional context
• builds a strong foundation of knowledge and skills for further study of history.