A-Level Politics Curriculum  

Why should you study POLITICS at A-level? 

• It’s new and different.
• It’s hugely relevant to everyday life.
• It helps you to develop a wide range of transferable skills.
• It’ll help you understand the world around you and put current events in context.
• It will broaden your horizons

How is A-Level Politics assessed?

• The exam board is AQA
• It's a linear A Level with three exams in the summer term of Y13.
• Each exam is 2 hours in length and worth a third of the A Level.
• Each exam is a combination of short-answer questions, extract-based questions and essays.
• There is no coursework or controlled assessment.

What skills make a successful A-Level Politics student?

• Genuine interest in current affairs
• Ability to discuss complex ideas
• Ability to justify arguments with specific examples
• Capacity to think analytically
• Willingness to read widely

What do current students think of A-Level Politics?

“Sometimes it can be quite daunting to commit yourself to taking a new subject but I can tell you that it would be a great decision and one you won’t regret.  Many people complain about school subjects not having much relevance to life.  Politics does not fall into this category and everything you study bears great relevance and impact upon everyday life” (Current Y12 Politics student)

“Politics is the most up-to-date of all the A Levels available.  It makes you more knowledgeable about the world around you and how it is run.  The subject allows you to develop and convey your own opinions, putting your views across through debate which ensures the subject is always interesting and engaging” (Current Y13 Politics student)

Careers Advice: Where might an A Level in Politics lead?

Politics is not a vocational course.  It does not lead in a single direction; Politics graduates are widely sought-after because they develop a range of transferable skills that make them highly employable.  Common destinations for Politics graduates include, but are not limited to:

• Diplomacy
• Politics & Civil Service
• Law & Journalism
• Business & Management
• Marketing & Social Media
• Education

A Level Politics course content: AQA Specification

Our AQA A-Level Politics course is structured around 3 units:

• Unit 1: UK Government & Politics  
• Unit 2: US & Comparative Government & Politics  
• Unit 3: Political Ideas  

How is the A Politics course delivered

Year 12

There is a Year 12 Internal Exam in the Spring Term.  Beyond that, A Level Politics class teachers regularly assess student progress through a combination of short-answer, extract-based and essay questions.   

Year 13

There is a Year 13 Internal Exam in the Autumn Term.  Beyond that, A Level Politics class teachers regularly assess student progress through a combination of short-answer, extract-based and essay questions.