Government & Politics
You do not need to have studied Politics before in order to enjoy this course.
All you need is an interest in current affairs, a desire to learn about the way our country is run, and enthusiasm for understanding the role of Political affairs in the wider world.
We organise an annual trip to the Houses of Parliament, as well as the opportunity to attend numerous conferences throughout the two years. Many students go on to attend Question Time, and some join a political party.
Component 1: UK Politics
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: UK Government
1. UK Government, students will study the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.
2. Optional Political Ideas, students will study one idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism.
Component 3: Comparative Politics
For Global (3B) students will study:
Theories of Global Politics, sovereignty and globalisation, global governance: political and economic, global governance: human rights and environmental, power and developments, regionalism and the European Union.
Entry requirements: A grade ‘5’ in English GCSE
Structure
3 two hour exams
Each worth 33.33% or A Level
Components 1 and 2:
One 30 mark question (from a choice of two) and one 24 mark question (from a choice of 2)
Component 3:
Two 12 mark questions (compulsory) and two 30 mark questions (choice of 3)
What can I do with Politics?
Politics works very well alongside History, English, Sociology, Psychology and Philosophy and Ethics.
Many Politics students also find that its works well as an alongside Maths, Economics or a Science.
Many of our students go on to study Law, Politics, Interntaional relations, History and a variety of other subjects at university
Careers involving Politics
The possibilities are endless! Politics (obviously!), journalism, teaching, Social work, HR, Solicitor, Research, Trade Unions, Public Relations, Civil Service research, Local government official…etc. etc!
Course requirements
To be accepted onto the course you will need the following at GCSE:
- English Language or English Literature at Grade 5 or above
- Mathematics at Grade 4 or above