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Cambridge A Level World History

World History for Cambridge A Level (syllabus 9489) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
9489
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge A Level World History
Spec code
9489
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 9 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official Cambridge specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-19.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489)

Cambridge International AS and A Level History gives learners the opportunity to explore human progress and achievement across a range of political, social, economic, cultural, religious and technological developments. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

AS Level: candidates study one of three options (European, American, or International history) assessed via Paper 1 (Document question) and Paper 2 (Outline study); AS topics rotate between Papers 1 and 2 year-on-year. A Level adds Paper 3 (Interpretations question, 3 named topics) and Paper 4 (Depth study, 3 named depth studies each with 4 themes). Candidates may take AS only, A Level staged over two years, or A Level in one series.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Staged qualification

Assessment components for Cambridge World History 9489
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Document question 1h 15m 40 20% Written exam
Paper 2: Outline study 1h 45m 60 30% Written exam
Paper 3: Interpretations question 1h 15m 40 20% Written exam
Paper 4: Depth study 1h 45m 60 30% Written exam

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27. Directly confirmed against the official PDF (Assessment overview, p.11): Paper 1 Document question (1h15/40 marks, 40% of AS / 20% of A Level) and Paper 2 Outline study (1h45/60 marks, 60% of AS / 30% of A Level) form the AS Level; Paper 3 Interpretations question (1h15/40 marks, 20% of A Level only) and Paper 4 Depth study (1h45/60 marks, 30% of A Level only) complete the full A Level. Weighting figures recorded here are the "% of A Level" figures (20+30+20+30=100); AS-only route uses the separate 40%/60% figures instead (not modeled as a distinct record). All four papers externally assessed. AS Level topics for Papers 1 and 2 rotate year-on-year per the syllabus's own rotation table (section 4).

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge World History (9489) assessed?

Cambridge World History (9489) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Document question) — 1h 15m, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Outline study) — 1h 45m, 60 marks, 30% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Interpretations question) — 1h 15m, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification; Paper 4 (Depth study) — 1h 45m, 60 marks, 30% of the qualification. It is a staged qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27.

The subject

World History teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All World History at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 7 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489), for the 2026 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 3 of 7 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Paper 1 and Paper 2 – European Option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921

    3 Marlbridge resources

    France, 1774–1814 · The Industrial Revolution in Britain, 1750–1850 · Liberalism and Nationalism in Germany, 1815–71 · The Russian Revolution, 1894–1921

  2. AS 2 Paper 1 and Paper 2 – American Option: The History of the USA, 1820–1941

    3 Marlbridge resources

    The Origins of the Civil War, 1820–61 · Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–77 · The Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 1870s to 1920 · The Great Crash, The Great Depression and the New Deal, 1920–41

  3. AS 3 Paper 1 and Paper 2 – International Option: International History, 1870–1945

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Empire and the Emergence of World Powers, 1870–1919 · The League of Nations and International Relations in the 1920s · The League of Nations and International Relations in the 1930s · China and Japan, 1912–45

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 4 Paper 3 – Interpretations Question

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    The Origins of the First World War · The Holocaust · The Origins and Development of the Cold War

  2. A 5 Paper 4 – Depth Study 1: European History in the Interwar Years, 1919–41

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Mussolini’s Italy, 1919–41 · Stalin’s Russia, 1924–41 · Hitler’s Germany, 1929–41 · Britain, 1919–39

  3. A 6 Paper 4 – Depth Study 2: The USA, 1944–92

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    The Late 1940s and 1950s · The 1960s and the 1970s · The 1980s and Early 1990s · Foreign Policy, 1944–92

  4. A 7 Paper 4 – Depth Study 3: International History, 1945–92

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    US-Soviet Relations During the Cold War, 1950–91 · The Spread of Communism in East and Southeast Asia, 1945–91 · Decolonisation, the Cold War and the UN in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1950–92 · Conflict in the Middle East, 1948–91

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2026 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

World History at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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