Politics

Qualification

 A Level

Exam Board

AQA

Entry Requirements

• We would expect you to have a GCSE in History, PRE or English Literature
• You should have achieved a minimum of Grade 5 or above in either GCSE History or GCSE English or GCSE PRE

Course Overview

Students will study three main topics across the two years. 

Year 12 (Year one)

Government and politics of the UK: British constitution; Parliament; Prime Minister and cabinet; The Judiciary; Devolution; Democracy and participation; Elections and referendums; Political parties; Pressure groups; The European Union.

The government and politics of the USA: Constitutional framework of US government; The legislative branch of government (Congress); The executive branch of government (President); The judicial branch of government; The electoral process and direct democracy; Political parties; Pressure groups; Civil Rights

Year 13 (Year two)

Political ideas: Liberalism; Conservatism; Socialism; Nationalism

Assessment Methods

The Politics A Level with AQA is a two-year course. Students will sit external examinations at the end of the second year.

• Paper 1: Government and politics of the UK - 2 hours (33%)
• Paper 2: The government and politics of the USA - 2 hours (33%
• Paper 3: Political ideas - 2 hours (33%)

QE6 Extras / Co-Curriculum Opportunities

In Politics at QE6 we offer a range of co-curricular opportunities including: guest lectures from  academics; politics related trips; access to further reading lists; opportunity and support entering national essay writing competitions.

Progression

Politics is a good academic subject for your application to university and for any future careers and offers transferable skills. Politics shows universities and employers your ability to communicate complex idee and analyse information. It also presents your power to independently research and prepare a balanced essay. Politics would be an excellent subject to take alongside History, PRE or English

Politics opens up a number of possible degrees such as Politics, Sociology, Ethics Advertising and Journalism. It also opens up interesting careers like international organisations, media, politics, law, journalism and the civil service.