Politics - A Level (Edexcel)

A Level Politics examines the workings of the British political system, core political ideas, and events and trends in global politics. You will explore the features of the UK’s uncodified constitution, what ‘freedom’ means, and how it is best promoted and protected. This course will include discussing whether we should be governed at all, what democracy is, and how close the UK political system comes to meeting this ideal. You will also discuss the political ideas associated with liberalism, conservatism, and socialism and the extent to which these can be found within the parties competing for our votes.

In year two you will focus on global politics and questions around how effective the UN is at preventing and resolving conflict, whether there exist underlying power structures that mean the wealthy countries of the ‘Global North’ exploit those in the ‘Global South’, and whether global governance can solve environmental and human rights issues.

Topics covered can include:

UK Politics

• Democracy and participation
• Political parties
• Electoral systems
• Voting behaviour and the media
• Conservatism, liberalism, socialism

UK Government 

• The constitution
• Parliament
• Prime Minister and executive
• Relationships between the branches
• Anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism

Comparative Politics

• Sovereignty and globalisation
• Global governance: political and economic
• Global governance: human rights and environmental
• Power and developments
• Regionalism and the European Union

You will need:

• Grade 5, and at least one grade 6, or above in GCSE English Language plus one other written subject, such as History, Geography, Humanities, English Literature, Business, Media Studies, Religious Studies, Drama and Film Studies
• Three further GCSEs at grade 4 or above

If you wish to study 4 A Levels, you will need 7 GCSEs at grade 7 or above, including two at grade 8.

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that A Levels are suitable for them.

When applying for the A Level programme at City and Islington, please refer to the general entry requirements on our A Level Courses page as well as the subject-specific details listed above.

Assessment is through three exams at the end of the second year.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

A Levels are widely regarded as the standard entry qualification for top universities in the UK, and the rest of the world. Many of our students go on to study for a degree at the university of their choice, with some choosing to progress into apprenticeships or other employment.

Click here to see some of the teachers that teach A Levels at the college