We offer Politics as a one-year as well as a two-year A level. Students in the Politics department have an outstanding record of producing high grades and of going on to read Politics, History, International Relations and Business degrees. Many of our students come to the course with no knowledge of the subject and end by wishing to study it further at university. You will learn: • How to develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutes and processes; • What the structures of authority and power are within the political system of the United Kingdom and the United States, and how these may differ from those of other political systems; • What the rights and responsibilities of individuals are to encourage participation by citizens within society; • How to develop personal effectiveness through a critical awareness of political events and issues, an empathetic understanding of the main political viewpoints and the skills required to argue a case with relevance and coherence; • A clear understanding of the ideologies and theories, motives and values that underpin political processes and governmental decision-making and the role of institutions in resolving conflicts, formulating public policies, and allocating scarce resources. This course will appeal if you enjoy debating current affairs and politics generally, and have a keen appreciation of the need to participate in the decision-making process, like doing a subject that affects your everyday life, or that offers the opportunity to progress to a career in politics, or simply to keep your options open – Politics can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and can be combined with a wide range of sciences, social sciences and humanities subjects.
To clarify our admission policy, we do not adopt a rigid policy. Our primary criterion is the ability to demonstrate the motivation and commitment as well as the background skills, knowledge and aptitude necessary to complete the A-level courses successfully. These cannot always be easily defined and our preference is to evaluate these factors on an individual basis, where possible. However, in general, we would expect at least grade B passes (or grade 6) at GCSE across the range of subjects, particularly those relevant to A-level subject choices. The exception to this is Mathematics, Modern Languages and Science where we expect at least A grades. The academic profile of our A-level students varies, although the majority have obtained at least A and B grades at GCSE.
The two-year A level A-level course in Politics consists of three units of assessment based on the following content: Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas 2 hours, 33.3% of the qualification, 84 marks. Section A: Political Participation Students will study Democracy and political participation, political parties, voting patterns and behaviour, two or more recent general elections, and the role of the media. Section B: Core Political Ideas Students will study the principle background ideas of modern politics – the ideologies of Conservatism, Socialism and Liberalism, with emphasis on five of the most important thinkers behind each political idea. Component 2: UK Government and Non-Core Political Ideas 2 hours, 33.3% of the qualification, 84 marks Section A: UK Government Students will study the main institutions of the UK system: The features and evolution of the Constitution, the Prime Minister and the Core Executive, Parliament, and the relationship between the branches of Government. Section B: Non-core Political Ideas Students will study one idea from the following: Anarchism. Ecologism, Feminism, Multiculturalism, and Nationalism with emphasis on the main thinkers behind each political idea. Component 3 (Option A): The USA and Comparative Politics 2 hours, 33.3% of the Qualification, 84 marks Section A: The Government of the USA Students will study: The US Constitution and Federalism, the US Congress, the US Presidency, the US Supreme Court, Civil Rights, Democracy and Participation. Section B: Comparative Theories Students will study theoretical methods of comparison between the UK and US systems, using rational, cultural and structural approaches to evaluate the similarities and differences between the two systems.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Barnet |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | Lodge House, Lodge Road, London, NW4 4DQ |
We offer Politics as a one-year as well as a two-year A level. Students in the Politics department have an outstanding record of producing high grades and of going on to read Politics, History, International Relations and Business degrees. Many of our students come to the course with no knowledge of the subject and end by wishing to study it further at university. You will learn: • How to develop a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutes and processes; • What the structures of authority and power are within the political system of the United Kingdom and the United States, and how these may differ from those of other political systems; • What the rights and responsibilities of individuals are to encourage participation by citizens within society; • How to develop personal effectiveness through a critical awareness of political events and issues, an empathetic understanding of the main political viewpoints and the skills required to argue a case with relevance and coherence; • A clear understanding of the ideologies and theories, motives and values that underpin political processes and governmental decision-making and the role of institutions in resolving conflicts, formulating public policies, and allocating scarce resources. This course will appeal if you enjoy debating current affairs and politics generally, and have a keen appreciation of the need to participate in the decision-making process, like doing a subject that affects your everyday life, or that offers the opportunity to progress to a career in politics, or simply to keep your options open – Politics can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and can be combined with a wide range of sciences, social sciences and humanities subjects.
To clarify our admission policy, we do not adopt a rigid policy. Our primary criterion is the ability to demonstrate the motivation and commitment as well as the background skills, knowledge and aptitude necessary to complete the A-level courses successfully. These cannot always be easily defined and our preference is to evaluate these factors on an individual basis, where possible. However, in general, we would expect at least grade B passes (or grade 6) at GCSE across the range of subjects, particularly those relevant to A-level subject choices. The exception to this is Mathematics, Modern Languages and Science where we expect at least A grades. The academic profile of our A-level students varies, although the majority have obtained at least A and B grades at GCSE.
The two-year A level A-level course in Politics consists of three units of assessment based on the following content: Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas 2 hours, 33.3% of the qualification, 84 marks. Section A: Political Participation Students will study Democracy and political participation, political parties, voting patterns and behaviour, two or more recent general elections, and the role of the media. Section B: Core Political Ideas Students will study the principle background ideas of modern politics – the ideologies of Conservatism, Socialism and Liberalism, with emphasis on five of the most important thinkers behind each political idea. Component 2: UK Government and Non-Core Political Ideas 2 hours, 33.3% of the qualification, 84 marks Section A: UK Government Students will study the main institutions of the UK system: The features and evolution of the Constitution, the Prime Minister and the Core Executive, Parliament, and the relationship between the branches of Government. Section B: Non-core Political Ideas Students will study one idea from the following: Anarchism. Ecologism, Feminism, Multiculturalism, and Nationalism with emphasis on the main thinkers behind each political idea. Component 3 (Option A): The USA and Comparative Politics 2 hours, 33.3% of the Qualification, 84 marks Section A: The Government of the USA Students will study: The US Constitution and Federalism, the US Congress, the US Presidency, the US Supreme Court, Civil Rights, Democracy and Participation. Section B: Comparative Theories Students will study theoretical methods of comparison between the UK and US systems, using rational, cultural and structural approaches to evaluate the similarities and differences between the two systems.