A Level Government & Politics

Assessment Objectives : 

• Component 1: UK Politics (*Component code: 9PL0/01) Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of the qualification - 84 marks 

• Component 2: UK Government (*Component code: 9PL0/02) Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of the qualification - 84 marks
  
  

• Component 3: Comparative Politics (*Component code: 9PL0/3A or 3B) Written examination: 2 hours 33⅓% of the qualification - 84 marks 

Students will be expected to:

• develop knowledge and an informed understanding of contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context, both within the United Kingdom (UK) and globally

• develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes 

• develop knowledge and an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics

• develop knowledge and an informed understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups 

• develop the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements

• develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics. 

Subject Content

Component 1

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, socialism. 

Component 2

1. UK Government, students will study: • the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches. 

2. Non-core political ideas, students will study: • one idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism. 

Component 3

Content overview For USA (3A), students will study: • the US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories. 

OR 

For Global (3B) students will study: • sovereignty and globalisation, global governance: political and economic, global governance: human rights and environmental, power and developments, regionalism and the European Union, comparative theories. 

Where can an A Level in Government & Politics lead?

• • Students wishing to continue their studies after A Levels can opt for a university degree or work-based apprenticeship.

  • Both of these routes can lead to the qualifications required to become a solicitor, barrister or legal executive.

  • Other popular careers include the police, teaching, social work, business and accounting.