Cambridge · A Level
Cambridge A Level World History
Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) — the Cambridge syllabus for exams in 2027–2029. What it covers, how it is assessed, a link to the official syllabus, and the free study material Marlbridge publishes for it.
- Syllabus
- 9489
- Board
- Cambridge
- Qualification
- A Level
- Not your course?
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Topics and resources
Each topic below is from the official Cambridge document for Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489), with its study guides, revision notes and practice questions together. Everything here is for Cambridge A Level World History (9489) only.
- Learn with study guides
- Revise with revision notes
- Practise with practice questions
Searches topic names and resource titles for this course only.
No World History (9489) resources match “”.
- Try one shorter word, or check the spelling.
- Try the wording the syllabus uses for the topic, as listed below once you clear the search.
- Some topics have no Marlbridge resource yet; they are still listed.
AS Level
Topics 1–3. Usually studied in the first year, and assessed at AS.
- AS topic 1
European option: Modern Europe, 1774–1924
Covers France, 1774–1814, Liberalism and nationalism in Germany, 1815–71, Russia from autocracy to revolution, 1881–1924
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- AS topic 2
American option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941
Covers The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1820–77, The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era, 1870–1920, The Great Crash, the Great Depression and the New Deal, 1920–41
- AS topic 3
International option: International history, 1870–1939
Covers Imperialism and the emergence of world powers, c.1870–1918, International relations 1919–29: conflict and cooperation, International history 1929–39: the rise of extremism and the road to war
Revision notes
Practice questions
A Level
Topics 4–7. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.
- A Level topic 4
Historical interpretations
Covers The origins of the First World War, The Holocaust, The origins and development of the Cold War
No Marlbridge resource for this topic yet. It is still part of the syllabus, so use the official document and past papers for it.
- A Level topic 5
European option: European history, 1919–41
Covers Mussolini’s Italy, 1919–41, Stalin’s Russia, 1924–41, Hitler’s Germany, 1929–41
No Marlbridge resource for this topic yet. It is still part of the syllabus, so use the official document and past papers for it.
- A Level topic 6
American option: The USA, 1945–93
Covers Truman, Eisenhower and post-war USA, 1945–61, A time of challenges: the USA, 1961–74, The USA, 1974–93
No Marlbridge resource for this topic yet. It is still part of the syllabus, so use the official document and past papers for it.
- A Level topic 7
International option: International history, 1909–94
Covers The Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe, 1953–91, End of minority rule in South Africa and Zimbabwe, 1948–94, The route to independence: Malaysia and Indonesia, c.1909–67
No Marlbridge resource for this topic yet. It is still part of the syllabus, so use the official document and past papers for it.
Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2027-2029 series. Verified 2026-09-17. Every subtopic the document lists is shown. A topic listed here is part of the syllabus; it does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.
About this course
- Qualification
- Cambridge A Level World History
- Spec code
- 9489
- Does Marlbridge teach it?
- Yes — request a free trial class
- Who teaches it?
- Azam Siddique
- Are resources available?
- Yes — 9 published
- Is enrolment open?
- Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
- Official syllabus
- Cambridge syllabus for 2027–2029
- Topic checklist
- Printable 9489 checklist
- Where was this verified?
- 2026-09-17, official Cambridge specification
Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-09-17.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.
The qualification
Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489)
Marlbridge's summary of the course
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.
The board's own description is on the official Cambridge syllabus page.
2027-2029 syllabus (Version 2, April 2025). AS Level: candidates study one of three options (European, American, or International history), each with three topics, assessed via Paper 1 (Historical Sources) and Paper 2 (Outline Study); AS topics rotate between Papers 1 and 2 year-on-year. A Level adds Paper 3 (Historical Interpretations, 3 named topics) and Paper 4 (Depth Study, 3 named options each with 3 topics — reduced from four at both AS and Paper 4 by this syllabus). Candidates may take AS only, A Level staged over two years, or A Level in one series. The previous syllabus (697368) remains current for the November 2026 series only, its final 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
| Component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Historical Sources | 1h 15m | 40 | 20% | Written exam |
| Paper 2: Outline Study | 1h 45m | 60 | 30% | Written exam |
| Paper 3: Historical Interpretations | 1h 15m | 40 | 20% | Written exam |
| Paper 4: Depth Study | 1h 45m | 60 | 30% | Written exam |
Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-09-17. Directly confirmed against the official 2027-2029 PDF (Version 2, April 2025; Assessment overview, p.10): Paper 1 Historical Sources (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 Historical Interpretations (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. Paper 1 is now named Historical Sources, not Document question, and Paper 3 Historical Interpretations, not Interpretations question – both renamed from the 2026 syllabus (697368), which remains current for the November 2026 series only. AS Level topics for Papers 1 and 2, and A Level topics for Paper 4, are each reduced from four to three by this syllabus. The syllabus's rotation table (printed pp.37-38) is headed "Topics assessed on Paper 1 and Paper 2" and rotates topics for those two papers only; Paper 4 questions are set on the whole of the chosen option, with no rotation prescribed (corrected 2026-09-17).
Questions about this course
How is Cambridge World History (9489) assessed?
Cambridge World History (9489) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Historical Sources) — 1h 15m, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Outline Study) — 1h 45m, 60 marks, 30% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Historical Interpretations) — 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 2026-09-17.
What topics does Cambridge A Level World History (9489) cover?
7 topics in the current syllabus: European option: Modern Europe, 1774–1924; American option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941; International option: International history, 1870–1939; Historical interpretations; European option: European history, 1919–41; American option: The USA, 1945–93; International option: International history, 1909–94. The printable topic checklist lists every topic and subtopic on one page.
Can I get a tutor for Cambridge A Level World History (9489)?
Yes. Marlbridge teaches Cambridge A Level World History (9489) live online, one-to-one or in small groups, taught by a named subject teacher from its academy in Lahore, Pakistan. The first trial class is free.
Are there free Cambridge A Level World History (9489) revision notes and practice questions?
Yes. Marlbridge has published 9 free resources for this course (practice questions, revision notes, study guides), free to read with no sign-up.
The subject
World History teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.
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.
- Cambridge IGCSE World History Syllabus 0470
- Cambridge O Level World History Syllabus 2147
- Pearson Edexcel IGCSE World History Syllabus 4HI1
- AQA GCSE World History Syllabus 8145
- OxfordAQA IGCSE World History Syllabus 9245
- International Baccalaureate IB Diploma Programme World History Syllabus DP History
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