A Level Politics is a great subject; it combines skills that lots of employers and universities want, with the ability to keep up-to-date with current affairs. What is A Level Politics like?
Keeping Updated with Current Affairs
An important aspect of What A Level Politics is like involves keeping updated with and being interested in the news. It’s a good idea to download the BBC News app for an overview of all current affairs, along with a left-leaning (e.g. The Guardian or The Mirror) and right-leaning (e.g. The Telegraph or The Times) publisher.
There are Many Ways to Learn
Politics is a great subject to learn at A Level because many people enjoy talking about it in regular life. This means that a wide range of films, TV shows and more have been made about political issues and topics. For a range selection of politics in the media, check out Study Politics’ Revision Playlist and learn about many topics in many ways! So, when asking what A Level Politics is like, think about the diversity of ways you will learn the course.
What is A Level Politics Like? The Course:
The answer to this question depends on the exam board that your school or college chooses.
AQA – click here for specification
You will have three exams, and each will assess you on a different area of politics. This course also allows you to learn about synoptic assessment, in which different areas of the specification are linked together and comparisons are made within your writing. This gives you a holistic view of politics to develop your answers.
- UK Government and Politics – looking at the role of parliament, impact of devolution, political parties and more. You will get to grips in depth with lots of interesting topics within the UK political system.
- US Government and Politics – similar to the first paper but looking at the American system of politics. You will learn about topics including the role of the the president, civil rights and elections in America. You will also draw parallels with the UK system of government.
- Political Ideas – you will look at three core ideologies: conservatism, liberalism and socialism. You will also look at one non-core ideology: either anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism or nationalism. Within each ideology, you will look at the different strands, tensions and thinkers.
Edexcel – click here for specification
There are three exams for the Edexcel specification too, but with some more flexibility.
- UK Politics & Core Political Ideas – looking at how people engage with politics, from pressure groups to voting systems to the media. You will also look at three core political ideas: conservatism, liberalism and socialism, and look at the thinkers, divisions and types of each.
- UK Government & Non-Core Political Ideas – similar to the first paper but looking at the functioning of politics and government in the UK. This will include topics such as the role of parliament, the prime minister and judiciary in the UK. You will also look at one of five non-core political ideas: either anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism or nationalism.
- Comparative Politics – you will study either American or Global politics, and look to make comparative analysis to the study of UK politics. American politics will look at topics such as the president, civil rights and the Constitution. Global politics will look at poverty, globalisation, power and more.
What is A Level Politics Like? How Study Politics can help
Study Politics is here to make A Level Politics easier, and help you understand what A Level Politics is like. Our resources are made to help unlock your A* potential from your start in Year 12. Our range of revision notes, practice exam papers, posters and more make revising and learning A Level Politics much less stressful. If you have any questions and/or suggestions, get in touch with us and we will do our best to help you, including questions about what A Level Politics is like.