KS3 History Home Study Courses
KS3 History Home Study Courses
Study KS3 History from home with flexible online courses for Years 7, 8 and 9.
Our KS3 History home study courses help students explore the past, understand historical change and develop the reading, writing and thinking skills they will need for GCSE study and beyond.
From £14.99 / month
- KS3 History for Years 7, 8 and 9
- Start studying online
- Minimum 6-month subscription
- Optional printed course materials
- Tutor-marked assignments available
KS3 History Home Study Courses
Study GCSEs from home with flexible online courses designed for home-educated students.
Choose from a wide range of GCSE and International GCSE subjects. Study online at your own pace, add printed course materials where available, and get support as you work towards recognised qualifications.
From £14.99 / month
- Start studying online
- Minimum 6-month subscription
- Optional printed course packs
- Tutor support and marking available
KS3 History home study for Years 7, 8 and 9
Our KS3 History home study courses are designed for students who need a structured and flexible way to study History outside a traditional classroom.
They are suitable for home-educated students, students moving out of school, and families who want a clear programme of study for Key Stage 3. Each course provides online learning materials that guide students through historical topics step by step, with optional printed course materials and tutor-marked work available where needed.
History at Key Stage 3 helps students build important skills. They learn how to understand evidence, explain causes and consequences, compare different periods, and write clear historical answers. These skills are useful not only for GCSE History, but also for English, humanities subjects and wider study
Choosing the right KS3 History starting point
One of the advantages of home study is that students do not always have to follow a single school year group across every subject.
If your child is currently in Year 7, Year 8 or Year 9 at school, that can be a useful starting point, but it should not be the only factor. Some students need time to rebuild confidence in a subject where they have fallen behind. Others are ready to move more quickly because they have already covered the basics and need more challenge.
It is also normal for a student to be working at different levels in different subjects. A child might be ready for Year 9 History, for example, but be better suited to Year 8 Maths or Year 7 English. Choosing the right level for each subject can make home study more effective and less stressful.
When choosing a KS3 History course, think about:
The aim is not simply to match the school year printed on a timetable. The aim is to choose the course level that gives your child the best chance to learn successfully.
How our GCSE home study courses work
1.Choose the right year level
Select the History course that best matches your child’s confidence, experience and readiness, rather than relying only on their school year.
2. Start studying online
Once enrolled, students get access to structured online course materials, with lessons, activities, self-assessment questions and assignments.
3. Add support when needed
Many students choose to add printed course packs, tutor-marked assignments or extra academic support as they work through the course.
4. Build towards GCSE
KS3 History helps students develop the knowledge, confidence and written skills that can support later GCSE study.
What students will study in KS3 History
Our KS3 History courses are designed to help students understand how people, societies and ideas have changed over time. Across Years 7, 8 and 9, students build historical knowledge while developing the skills needed to explain events, use evidence and write clear historical answers.
The courses are arranged in modules, with lessons, activities and tutor-marked assignments to help students check their progress as they work through the material.
KS3 History Year 7
Year 7 introduces students to the study of History and helps them understand why the past matters. Students then explore medieval Britain, including the Norman Conquest, medieval monarchs, everyday life, towns, the Church and religion. The course also introduces Tudor history through Elizabeth I and looks at how portraits and images were used between 1500 and 1750.
This is a good starting point for students beginning Key Stage 3 History or rebuilding confidence with historical reading and written answers.
KS3 History Year 8
Year 8 continues the story through major changes in Britain and Europe. Students study the Civil War, the execution of the king, the Restoration and the Glorious Revolution. They also explore the French Revolution, industrial change, Victorian society, women and the vote, and the British Empire.
This level is suitable for students who already have some Key Stage 3 experience and are ready to develop more detailed historical knowledge and explanation skills.
KS3 History Year 9
Year 9 moves towards more modern and challenging historical topics. Students study Black American history, slavery and abolition, the role of individuals in history, divided Ireland, war in the twentieth century, the Holocaust, twentieth-century medicine, and the development of scientific ideas.
This is a good choice for students preparing to move towards GCSE-level study, where confidence with evidence, explanation and extended writing becomes increasingly important.
How the course is structured
Each lesson includes clear aims, context, reading, activities and opportunities to test understanding. Most modules include tutor-marked assignments, which help students and parents see how well the student is progressing.
Students do not need to buy specific extra textbooks for the KS3 History course. Further reading and relevant websites may be suggested from time to time, but the course is designed to provide the materials needed for effective home study.
Choose your KS3 History course
Each KS3 History course is designed for flexible home study and can be studied online at a pace that suits your child.
Core subjects
Exams and private candidate entry
Preparing for GCSE History
KS3 History is an important foundation for students who may later choose GCSE History.
At this stage, students begin to develop the skills they will need for more advanced study. They learn to describe and explain historical events, use evidence, understand different viewpoints and write more developed answers.
Studying History at Key Stage 3 can also help students become more confident readers and writers. This is useful across many subjects, especially as they move towards GCSE courses where extended writing, analysis and independent study become more important.
Students do not have to decide on GCSE History immediately. KS3 History gives them the chance to explore the subject, build confidence and decide whether they want to continue with it later.
What you need to arrange
- Choose the right course and exam board
- Check the exam entry code for your subject
- Find an exam centre that accepts private candidates
- Book and pay for the exam separately
- Plan ahead for exam entry deadlines
FAQs
Why should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
- Long-established educational company with experience supporting home-educated students
- Rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot by students and families
- Online and printed resources available on many courses
- Flexible study with tutor support and interest-free monthly payments
Can my child study GCSEs from home?
Yes. GCSE and International GCSE courses can be studied from home using structured course materials. Our courses are designed for home-educated students and independent learners who want a flexible alternative to classroom study.
What is the difference between a GCSE and an International GCSE?
GCSEs and International GCSEs are both recognised qualifications. International GCSEs are often well suited to home study because they are usually assessed mainly by written exams and do not normally require school-based coursework. Each course page explains which qualification and exam board the course follows.
Are International GCSEs accepted by colleges and sixth forms?
Yes. International GCSEs are widely recognised and are commonly accepted by colleges, sixth forms and other education providers. They are designed to be comparable to GCSEs, although students should always check any specific entry requirements for their chosen course or institution.
When can we enrol?
You can enrol at any time. Once enrolled, students can begin working through their online course materials and study at a pace that suits their family and exam plans.
How long does a GCSE course take?
Many students study a GCSE or International GCSE course over one or two academic years, but the exact timescale depends on the subject, the student’s previous knowledge and the amount of time they can study each week. On average we recommend 200 hours of study per GCSE/iGCSE course spread over at least 9 months.
Are exams included in the course fee?
No. Exam fees are paid separately to the exam centre where the student sits the exam. Home-educated students usually enter exams as private candidates at an approved exam centre.
How do we arrange the exam?
Students normally sit their exams as private candidates. We provide guidance through our Exams Hub, including information about exam entry, exam codes and finding an exam centre.
The final date for booking summer exams with the exam board without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February. You should book your place at an exam centre well in advance of this date. Start looking once the autumn term begins.
All the information you need to book an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find
- detailed instructions
- entry codes needed to book exams
- our map of examination centres where our students have taken exams in recent years.
Tutors & Exams offers discounts to Oxford Home Schooling students and has ten current exam venues across the UK: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
Pearson Edexcel also publishes a list of exam centres that accept private candidates. This won’t list every available centre, so if there’s nothing shown in your area, we recommend contacting local schools and colleges directly.
Does the course include tutor support?
The course includes structured online learning materials. Tutor-marked assignments and additional academic support are available on all courses, so students can get feedback and guidance as they progress.
Can we get printed course materials?
All our courses offer optional printed course packs for students who prefer working from paper as well as online. Lonks to purchase options are shown on the individual course pages.
What is the minimum subscription period?
Our course subscriptions have a minimum subscription period of six months. After that, subscriptions can usually be cancelled in line with the subscription terms.
6 months is not how long we recommend the course takes. Most students subscribe between 9 and 18 months before sitting their exams.