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Head of Department
Mr R McDonald
Why choose this A Level?
You are keen, mature, aware, inquisitive, with an interest in current affairs and are ambitious to enter Law, Management (Public Relations), Journalism, the Civil Service, Industry, Nursing, the Public Services, University or Parliament! We have just the course for you.
Have you ever wondered about the answers to the following questions?
– We say we are a democracy – but is it really true?
– Are our liberties properly protected?
– Why did Labour lose the last election?
– Why have Greenpeace been a successful pressure group?
– Should people and animals have the same rights?
The answer to these and many questions will be revealed!
Who is eligible?
As Politics is a social science, it can be studied equally well by girls who are taking Arts or Science based A levels. It is certainly not necessary to have studied GCSE History in order to handle the course.
Although Politics is not studied lower down the school, it is as equally acceptable to universities and colleges as any other A level you might consider taking. Whether your motivation is academic, career-orientated or pure curiosity, the main requirement is to have an interest in the subject. You do not need a great deal of knowledge of political affairs in order to start the course but you do need to have some interest in current affairs, debates, or controversies, so candidates will be expected to acquaint themselves with quality newspapers, periodicals, journals and current affairs programmes on both T.V. and radio.
Qualification Type: A Level (2 year) or AS Level (1 year)
Specification: Year 2024/2026 Advanced Level Award Examination Board: Edexcel
For info about the AS Level click here
UK Politics
1. Political Participation – students will study democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.
2. Core Political Ideas – students will study conservatism, liberalism and socialism.
UK Government
1. Students will study the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches. 2. Optional Political Ideas, students will study nationalism.
Comparative Politics – Global
For Global (3B) students will study theories of Global Politics, sovereignty and globalisation, global governance: political and economic, global governance: human rights and environmental, power and developments, regionalism and the European Union.
UNIT 1 UK Politics
2 hours 33⅓% of the qualification 84 marks
Section A: Political Participation: One 30-mark question from a choice of two (each question is based on a quote) – students must complete one of these. Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these.
All questions assess A01, A02 and A03
Section B; Core Political Ideas One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses A01, A02 and A03.
Unit 2 UK Government
2 hours, 33⅓% of the qualification, 84 marks.
Section A: UK Government One 30 mark questions from a choice of two (each question is based on a quote) – students must complete one of these. Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these.
All questions assess A01, A02 and A03.
Section B: Optional Political Ideas One 24-mark question from a choice of two which assesses A01, A02 and A03.
UNIT 3 Comparative Politics – Global
2 hours, 33⅓% of the qualification, 84 marks.
Section A One 12-mark question from a choice of two which assesses A01 and A02.
Section B One compulsory 12-mark question based on a source, which assesses A01 and A02
Section C Two 30-mark questions from a choice of three, which assesses A01, A02 and A03.
It’s ideal if you’re considering studying politics, sociology, history, advertising or journalism at university and is highly regarded by employers in industries including politics, international organisations, the media, government and the civil service.
This course is commonly studied with:
As an A-Level subject, politics complements several other A-Level courses, including business, sociology, psychology, English and economics.
Future Careers:
Business, human resources, local government, political risk analysis, public relations, public affairs, social research.
Students can study politics for just one academic year and achieve an AS qualification worth 40% of the UCAS points.
Year 2024/2025 Advanced Subsidiary Award Examination Board: Edexcel
UK Politics
Students will study: • Democracy and participation • Political parties • Electoral systems • Voting behaviour and the media
Section A: One 10-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses A01.
Section B: Two 10-mark questions based on a source. One question assesses A01 and A02 and the other question assess A02 and A03.
1 hour and 30 minutes, 50% of the qualification, 60 marks.
UK Government
Students will study: • The constitution • Parliament • Prime Minister and executive • Relationships between the branches
Section A One 10-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses A01.
Section B Two 10-mark questions based on a source. One question assesses A01 and A02 and the other question assesses A02 and A03.
Section C One mark question from a choice of two, which assesses A01, A02 and A03.
1 hour and 30 minutes, 50% of the qualification, 60 marks.
