All about A level Politics

You will spend a lot of time discussing and debating current affairs, unpacking real-world examples, and examining how historical events continue to influence today’s political decisions. Independent research is essential, so you will be encouraged to stay up to date.

You can do this by reading reputable news outlets, listening to political podcasts and radio shows, and generally keeping abreast of the comings and goings in British and American politics. Essay-writing is a central part of the course, helping you learn to structure convincing arguments and present evidence effectively. While this may sound demanding, it is also deeply rewarding — students often find the regular debates and deep dives into modern issues both stimulating and inspiring.

The best starting point is a genuine interest in current affairs and a willingness to keep up with breaking news. A grasp of historical context can be helpful, since many modern political debates are rooted in past events, but it isn’t strictly necessary to have taken History. A good standard of written English is beneficial because the exams are essay based and require you to express your ideas clearly. However, you don’t need to be an expert when you begin.

A Level Politics is accessible to a wide range of students, and many discover a newfound passion for Politics even if they have never studied it before. Enthusiasm, an open mind, and a desire to learn about the political world are often more important than any specific academic background.

A Level Politics is well regarded by universities and employers alike. Many students continue with Politics, International Relations, or related subjects at university; some go on to become involved in journalism, public policy, law, or even politics itself. For university applications, Politics is particularly suited to students wishing to study humanities or social science subjects at university and is particularly popular with Law applicants.

Yes, it is absolutely possible to study A Level Politics in one year, although you should be prepared for a faster pace and a heavier workload, as with any one year course. There is a lot of content in Politics but a lot of the best evidence will come from outside the classroom – from news broadcasts, political podcasts and newspapers. If you have an interest in politics and current affairs, you will learn a lot outside your studies.

Both Edexcel and AQA assess A Level Politics through three written exams at the end of the course, each covering different themes and topics, but with slightly different structures:

Edexcel

Paper 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas This paper covers Democracy and Participation, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, and Voting Behaviour. It also examines core political ideas such as Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism.

Paper 2: UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas This paper focuses on the Constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister, and relationships between different branches of government. It also includes non-core political ideas such as Feminism or Nationalism, depending on which idea your school or college chooses to teach.

Paper 3: Comparative Politics – USA This paper compares the political systems of the UK and the USA. It looks at the Constitution, Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, Civil Rights, and issues of democracy and participation, encouraging you to analyse similarities and differences in governance and political culture.

AQA

Paper 1: Government and Politics of the UK This paper explores the nature and sources of the British Constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister and Executive, and the relationships between the different branches of the UK government. It also examines democracy, participation, and electoral systems in the UK.

Paper 2: Government and Politics of the USA and Comparative Politics This paper investigates the constitutional framework of the USA, the workings of Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and civil rights. It also requires students to compare and contrast the political systems of the UK and the USA.

Paper 3: Political Ideas This paper concentrates on core ideologies such as Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism, as well as an additional, non-core political idea like Feminism or Nationalism. You will study key thinkers and evaluate how these ideas have influenced political developments.