A Level Politics

This course will enable you to study contemporary politics and develop a strong understanding of the factors shaping both the British and American systems. This subject also helps in the development of discussion and debating skills and encourages students to think beyond the constraints of a textbook. Politics is not linear, but ever changing with a multitude of avenues detailing the best and worst of the UK and US political structures.

What will I study?

The Politics course is made up of the following components:

Unit 1: UK Politics
Unit 2: UK Government
Unit 3: Comparative Politics

Unit 1: UK Politics

Political participation:
Democracy and participation, electoral systems, voting behaviour, and the media

Core political ideas:
Conservatism, liberalism, socialism

Unit 2: UK Government

Government:
The constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and the executive, relationships between the branches

Political ideas (one of):
Anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism

Unit 3: Comparative Politics

Government and Politics of the USA:
US Constitution and federalism, US congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation, civil rights

Politics Extras

We run a trip to Washington DC during the July of Year 12 along with a number of UK-based visits including trips to the Houses of Parliament. We also invite MPs to come to talk and discuss issues with students.

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 5s

4 in English and Maths

Subject Specific Entry Requirements:

6 in a humanities GCSE or English GCSE

* Please note that Level 2 vocational courses are the equivalent of 1 GCSE and only 1 will be counted towards the A-Level pathway entry requirements

What can I do with Politics after sixth form?

Politics will obviously equip students for the further study of Politics at University. As a subject which encourages critical thinking, it is respected and could contribute, along with other subjects, to a career in politics, journalism, law, social work and related areas.