Politics is not offered as a GCSE option and for this reason if you wish to study the subject at A Level you should have an open mind on current affairs and a willingness to listen to other people’s views on contemporary issues as well as a willingness to contribute ideas and beliefs of your own before making judgements about their relative merits. If you are interested in the dramatic changes that are occurring in our ever-changing world in the 21st century, you will certainly enjoy Politics. 

The study of Politics is divided into two very distinct sections. For Modules 1 and 2 key issues in relation to Political Issues and the System of Government within the UK. Both of these modules will be studied in Year 12. These two modules will provide you with the basis of an understanding of the nature of politics and how it operates, which you will then have the opportunity to extend through the remainder of the course. For Module 3 a range of global political issues are considered by students as part of the Comparative Global Politics module. This module will be studied over the course of Year 13. The examinations for all of  the modules are taken by students at the end of Year 13. There is no coursework component for the course.

• Democracy and Participation

• Political Parties

• Electoral Systems

• Voting Behaviour and the Media

• The Ideas of Liberalism

• The Ideas of Conservatism

• The Ideas of Socialism

• The Constitution

• Parliament

• Prime Minister and Executive

• Relations between the Branches of Government

• The Ideas of Anarchism

• The Ideas of Ecologism

• The Ideas of Feminism

• The Ideas of Multiculturalism

• The Ideas of Nationalism

• The State and Globalisation

• Global Governance: Political and Economic

• Global Governance: Human Rights and Environmental

• Power and Developments

• Regionalism and the European Union

• Comparative Theories 

With Politics, recent textbooks soon lag behind developments which are constantly taking place. Students must be willing to read and make notes on their own from newspapers, radio and television and reputable online resources as well as utilising History and Politics Department resources in order to keep up to date with current political issues. Motivation and interest in current affairs are of greater importance than previous knowledge.

Politics has close connections with other Humanities subjects such as Economics, Geography and History. Beyond A Level, the subject may be studied at degree level on its own or with another subject such as those mentioned already as well as Law, Business Studies & Social Administration. Politics provides a basis for many careers including journalism, television, radio, local government, personnel management, social work, teaching and banking.