What is Politics?

Politics is the study of power, authority, rights and decision making.
Key questions which underpin the study of politics:

  • Who has power and who does not?
  • How does a governing system work?
  • How can I influence the government?
  • Why are some ideas more dominant than others?
  • Who holds the powerful to account?

Politics is the study of power, authority, rights and decision making.

Read more

Specifics

  • Course specific entry requirements

    Grade 5 from English (4 will be considered)

  • Course duration

    2 years

  • Assessment methods

    3 final exams

  • Exam board

    Edexcel

  • Course type

    Linear A-level

  • How you will study:

    The Politics department uses a range of approaches to support students through an A-level course. There is a focus in class on discussion of political ideas and concepts, which then aids students in their class writing. As an exam based subject a good standard of reading, synthesis and writing skills is essential. Students will use a range of specially designed topic booklets, past paper questions and sample answers, online video and news tasks, as well as attend talks from political academics and political representatives and visit party conferences and local politics events. Results are outstanding! 2019 A-level pass rate is 98% and 72.5% A* – C.

Course content summary:

  • Component 1:

    UK Politics and Core Political Ideas. This section explores the nature of politics and how people engage in the political process in the UK and core political ideas.

  • Component 2:

    UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas. There are two sections within this component, the design of the governing system in UK and the location of power. Students also cover feminism.

  • Component 3:

    Comparative Politics: Global Politics. Global politics gives students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the local, national, international and global dimensions of political activity.

What topics will I cover in Politics?

  • Political Participation, students will study: democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.

    Core Political Ideas, students will study: conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

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

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

  • For Global politics 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.

How do we engage in politics beyond the class room?

Politics widens a student’s view of the world, offers alternative viewpoints and builds self-confidence through class debate and enrichment opportunities. As a department we offer outstanding enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities to Politics students and wider college community. Enrichment opportunities have included attending Political Party conferences, visits to Parliament & Capitol Hill, talks and lectures from elected officials, academics, journalists and people engaged in the business of doing politics. We also encourage students to enter debates and run the college’s Model United Nations, Current Affairs and Feminist clubs. We have academic partnerships with Oxford University and Manchester University, these offer students the opportunity to study politics and humanities programmes and summer schools.

Where can it take me?

Many of our students go on to to study Politics related degrees such as Politics, Politics, Philosophy & Economics, International Relations, Politics & History, Social Policy. Politics graduates are always in high demand, mainly due to the development and application of critical thinking skills. Politics related degrees are useful in two ways: you have a broader picture of the state of the nation and how major national and international political, social and economic institutions work and you will able to apply your critical thinking skills to project management. Politics graduates are hired by many leading local, national and international public service, media, charity and private sector organisations. Careers which call upon our course skills include: Diplomat, Policy Advisor, Political Consultant, International Communications Co-ordinator, Campaigns Manager, Business Development Manager, Management Consultant, Army Officer, Police Constable, School Teacher, Journalist, PR Consultant.

What topics will I cover in Politics?

  • Political Participation, students will study: democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.

    Core Political Ideas, students will study: conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

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

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

  • For Global politics 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.

How do we engage in politics beyond the class room?

Politics widens a student’s view of the world, offers alternative viewpoints and builds self-confidence through class debate and enrichment opportunities. As a department we offer outstanding enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities to Politics students and wider college community. Enrichment opportunities have included attending Political Party conferences, visits to Parliament & Capitol Hill, talks and lectures from elected officials, academics, journalists and people engaged in the business of doing politics. We also encourage students to enter debates and run the college’s Model United Nations, Current Affairs and Feminist clubs. We have academic partnerships with Oxford University and Manchester University, these offer students the opportunity to study politics and humanities programmes and summer schools.

Where can it take me?

Many of our students go on to to study Politics related degrees such as Politics, Politics, Philosophy & Economics, International Relations, Politics & History, Social Policy. Politics graduates are always in high demand, mainly due to the development and application of critical thinking skills. Politics related degrees are useful in two ways: you have a broader picture of the state of the nation and how major national and international political, social and economic institutions work and you will able to apply your critical thinking skills to project management. Politics graduates are hired by many leading local, national and international public service, media, charity and private sector organisations. Careers which call upon our course skills include: Diplomat, Policy Advisor, Political Consultant, International Communications Co-ordinator, Campaigns Manager, Business Development Manager, Management Consultant, Army Officer, Police Constable, School Teacher, Journalist, PR Consultant.