POLITICS

LEVEL 3: A LEVEL
EXAMINING BOARD: AQA

Politics is for anyone who has or is prepared to develop, a keen interest in current affairs.

The course focuses on the contemporary politics of both the UK and the USA, as well as the structures of government and the ideas which form the basis of political decision-making.

You may have the opportunity to visit Parliament and the UK Supreme Court and we have also taken trips to New York and Washington DC.

With the political landscape constantly changing, it is a fast moving subject, you will be expected to keep up to date with new developments which will be discussed on a regular basis.

Many Politics students like to get involved in the Huish Debating and Model United Nations (MUN) enrichments.

 

Course Modules

1. British Politics

This module covers:

  • participation and voting behaviour
  • political parties and pressure groups
  • the structure and functions of government.

2. Politics of the USA and Comparative Politics

This module covers:

  • power of the President
  • Congress and the Supreme Court
  • electoral processes
  • political parties and pressure groups.

3. Political Ideas

This module covers:

  • Liberalism
  • Socialism
  • Conservatism
  • Nationalism. 

 

As a minimum, you will need (or equivalent to):

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 4
  • GCSE English Language grade 4
  • plus three more GCSEs at grade 4

 

There are three exams, each one is two hours in duration.

These are a mixture of medium-length questions and essay questions.

The transferable skills the subject develops, such as analysis, evaluation and judgement, mean that you can go on to study a range of subjects at university including Politics and International Relations.

Past students have gone on to study at universities across the UK including Oxford and Cambridge.

Others have undertaken degree-level Apprenticeships including in the Civil Service and the BBC.

Other progression routes include local government and the military.

Do I need knowledge of politics before I start?

No political knowledge is needed, we teach you everything you need to know.

All we ask is a willingness to learn and get involved!