16-18 Courses, 16-18: A Levels

Politics (A Level)

Course Overview

Entry requirements

Enrolment on an A Level programme requires a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 - 4, including English and maths.

Specific criteria for this subject:
  • A minimum average point score of 4.25
  • Grade 5 English Language GCSE; Grade 4 Maths GCSE

Course information

Politics A Level must be studied alongside 2 other A Levels or alongside 1 other A Level and 1 Level 3 Extended Certificate/AAQ.

This course develops independent thinking, debate, and the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives. You will study how UK politics works in practice, from democracy and participation to parties, elections, parliament and the constitution, alongside core ideologies such as conservatism, liberalism and socialism.

You will also examine how the UK is governed, including the Prime Minister and the executive, relations between political branches, and a non core ideology such as nationalism. In global politics you will explore the state and globalisation, global governance of economics, security, human rights and the environment, the nature of power, regionalism and the EU, and comparative theories such as realism and liberalism. Assessment is by exam only, with three written papers at the end of the second year.

Key topics

  • UK Politics and Core Political Ideas: democracy and participation; political parties; electoral systems; voting behaviour and the media; conservatism; liberalism; socialism
  • UK Government and Non Core Political Ideas: the constitution; parliament including Commons and Lords; the Prime Minister and the executive; relations between the branches and sovereignty; nationalism
  • Global Politics: the state and globalisation; global governance political and economic including UN, NATO, WTO, G7, G20, IMF, World Bank; human rights and environmental governance including ICJ, ICC, key conferences; power and developments including hard and soft power and major powers; regionalism and the EU; comparative theories including realism and liberalism
  • Skills and Methods: critical analysis, evaluation, constructing arguments with evidence, comparative reasoning
  • Assessment: three exam papers at the end of the second year with no coursework

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What Can This Course Lead To

Progress to university, further study or employment.

University to study courses such as Economics, Politics, International Relations, Development Studies, History, Business, Sociology and Law.

Work or internships in Politics, social and charitable organizations.

Careers in Journalism, Researcher, Civil Service, Local Government, Charities, Pressure Groups and the Law

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Facilities for Students

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Financial Support

There are several ways we can help you cover the cost of your studies.

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