Government and Politics

Course summary

The A level Politics course is an exciting two-year course that aims to help you understand the relationship between political institutions, processes and ideas. In your first and second years, you will study the government and politics of the UK and the US. In the second year, you will also learn about key political ideas on human nature, society and the state, and how these ideas have guided politicians to this day. You will develop an ability to analyse, interpret and evaluate political information critically, forming well-rounded arguments and reasoned judgements. Political developments can often take us by surprise. This course aims to help you make sense of these events and place them within their context. This course will suit you if you are interested in current affairs and politics in Britain and the wider world. There is no specific requirement for pupils wishing to study Government and Politics at A level other than a genuine interest in learning more about the workings of government and political debate, and an open, flexible and enquiring mind. The skills developed are excellent preparation for reading Politics at university, either alone or in combination with another subject. They will also stand you in good stead for a wide range of professions, whether more humanities-based, literary or scientific.