Studying A-level Government and Politics will provide insight into political beliefs central to an understanding of the modern world. It also develops analytical and evaluative skills in relation to interesting topics prevalent in the turbulent political climate of today.
The course also provides foundation of political knowledge on which to develop skills for citizenship and university study. Example degree courses which generally require or accept Politics A-level include Politics, Economics, Journalism, Law, International Relations, History and Social Policy.
What will you study during Government and Politics A-level?
Specific content covered within A-level Government and Politics may vary from school to school, and depending on the exam board followed. Within the Edexcel specification however, topics covered currently include democracy in the context of the UK, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the role of the media, UK constitution and parliament, the EU, the US Constitution, US federalism, US Supreme Court and civil rights and US Congress.
What skills will you get from studying Government and Politics?
Studying this subject will develop your understanding of structures of authority and power, how political systems differ, and enable you to interpret, evaluate and comment on the nature of politics and government. You will also develop a range of transferrable analytical, debating and communication skills - all of which are vaulable in a wide range of careers.
What careers can studying Government and Politics lead to?
An A-level in Government and Politics provides an excellent background for careers in law, journalism, the caring professions, teaching, and a range of management and business areas.
Top 20 universities for Politics
(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
| 1 | University of St Andrews |
| 2 | University of Oxford |
| 2 = | University of Warwick |
| 4 | University of Cambridge |
| 5 | London School of Economics and Political Science |
| 6 | University of Strathclyde |
| 7 | University College London |
| 8 | King's College London |
| 9 | University of Surrey |
| 10 | University of Exeter |
| 11 | University of Glasgow |
| 12 | University of Edinburgh |
| 13 | University of York |
| 14 | University of Bristol |
| 15 | SOAS, University of London |
| 16 | University of Manchester |
| 17 | Royal Holloway, University of London |
| 18 | University of Bath |
| 19 | University of Sheffield |
| 20= | Durham University |
| 20= | Lancaster University |
Below are real-life examples of what university degrees studying A-level Government and Politics, in combination with other subjects, can lead to.
| Politics/ Economics/ Maths | University of York | Politics with International Relations |
| Politics/ Economics/ Maths | University of York | Philosophy, Politics and Economics |
