The OCR Ancient History A Level will be examined for the first time in summer 2019, and the AS Level in 2018.
Course Overview
Students study two components. Each is worth 50% of the total A Level, and is examined with a 2 hour 30 minute paper.
Each component is made up of a Period Study and a Depth study. The two period studies are compulsory, and Depth Studies are chosen from a list of three.
Greek Paper
Period Study: Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC
Depth Study, one from:
- The Politics and Society of Sparta, 478– 404 BC
- The Politics and Culture of Athens, c.460– 399 BC
- The Rise of Macedon, 359–323 BC
Roman Paper
Period Study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
Depth Study, one from:
- The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88– 31 BC
- The Flavians, AD 68–96
- Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43–c.128
AS Level Course Overview
Students study two components. Each is worth 50% of the total AS Level, and is examined with a 1 hour 30 minute paper.
Each of these components comprises a compulsory Period Study.
Component 1: Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC
Component 2: The Julio-Claudian emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
Co-teaching AS and A Level
With the de-coupling of AS and A Level it is very likely that many teachers will have mixed classes of AS and A Level students in the Year 12. These qualifications are therefore fully co-teachable. For a mixed class the first year should involve the study of the two period studies to prepare AS Level students for their exam. In the second year of study teachers should cover the Depth Studies before examinations on all material are sat for the A Level.
Teaching and learning resources
OCR have a selection of free resources on their website and Bloomsbury have produced endorsed supporting textbooks for every component.
More details
For full details of the AS and A Levels please see the OCR website.
