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Politics A Level (Alton)

A Level

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Availability & Details

Politics - A Level AF1-GOPOAL/C01

Venue
Alton Campus

Type of study
A Levels

Dates
Academic Year 2026-27 (2 years)

Examination board
Pearson Education Ltd (Formerly EDEXCEL)

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Overview

Decisions made by government affect our lives on a day-to-day basis, but how much influence do we have over these decisions and how much should you have? On this course, you will gain an understanding of the UK and the USA’s political landscape including the ability to interpret what politicians are saying and the key issues of the day.

Topics covered include: democracy, political parties, pressure groups, US politics and the political ideologies of, liberalism, conservatism, socialism and anarchism. You will learn through lively discussion and debate, group and individual work. There will be many opportunities to widen your enjoyment of this subject through listening to guest speakers from a variety of political perspectives and going on trips, including a visit to Parliament and attending student conferences.

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, which include English Language alongside an active interest in politics and current affairs.

The world of politics is fast-moving and fluid. Politics influences our everyday lives and our understanding of often complex events can be obscured by conflicting information and ideas. How do we make sense of these events? Politics focuses on how we manage disagreements in society – national and global. In other words, it concentrates on the analysis of current affairs, parliament and other institutions, and generally the events and issues that affect our day-to-day lives. A knowledge of such things helps us to answer questions that are directly relevant to us – for example, why are we allowed to drive at 17 but not vote until we get to 18?

You will study:

Component 1: UK Politics

  • Political Participation: Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.
  • Core Political Ideas: Conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

Component 2: UK Government

  • UK Government: The constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.
  • Optional Political Ideas: Anarchism

Component 3: Comparative Politics USA

  • The US Constitution and federalism, US congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation, civil rights.

Lesson activities are wide-ranging and include debates and discussions on the latest political events in order to make sense of politics as it unfolds.

100% exams – three exam papers making up 33% of the final mark each.

Essential purchase of essential textbooks across the two year course:
£40.


Parliament Trip.


 


My time at the college was definitely life changing, I have learnt a lot of new skills, and obviously it’s a completely new experience. The support was great, there was always people there to help and try make it as easy as they can for you. The college is really fantastic, it has helped me on the way to get to what I want to achieve within my career goals.

Erin Morgan, BTEC student

Everyone at the College was really helpful, and there’s lots of facilities, meaning it’s very easy to get your work done on time, and get good grades. The teaching and support was excellent, they were always on top of it, and made sure you got work done on time and you were challenged. Everyone is friendly and its really diverse, meaning you can get involved in lots of different things.

Conor Ward, BTEC student

College is definitely worth all the effort you put in, you get to meet lots of different people and it’s amazing.

Ebony Puttock, A Level student