Why study A level politics?
Studying A level politics will develop your understanding of democracy, structures of authority and power and various political systems with the United Kingdom. The course also builds on the global political scene by studying governance, human rights, power and comparative theories. It allows students to interpret, evaluate and comment on the nature of politics and government. You will also gain a range of transferrable skills such as analysis, debate and communication.
Level: A level
Board: Edexcel
Head of department:
Mrs R Clifton
Entry requirement: Grade 6 in English language; five grade 5s at GCSE including maths
How is A level politics delivered?
| Year | Topics covered |
| 12 | UK politics: democracy, participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour, media |
| Core political ideas: conservatism, liberalism, socialism | |
| 13 | UK government: constitution, parliament, prime minister, executive, relations between institutions |
| Optional political idea (e.g. feminism) | |
| Comparative politics: USA or global politics |
How is A level politics assessed?
| Paper | Content | Assessment |
| Paper 1 | UK politics and core political ideas, covering | 2-hour written exam |
| Democracy and participation | ||
| Political parties | ||
| Electoral systems | ||
| Voting behaviour and the media | ||
| Conservatism, liberalism, socialism | ||
| Paper 2 | UK government and optional political idea | 2-hour written exam |
| The Constitution | ||
| Parliament | ||
| Prime minister and executive | ||
| Relations between institutions | ||
| One optional idea (e.g. feminism, anarchism) | ||
| Paper 3 | Comparative politics | 2-hour written exam |
| Option A: government and politics of the USA | ||
| Option B: global politics |
