A-level Government and Politics at Kings

Overview

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 develop a range of transferable analytical, debating and communication skills.

Key Facts

Start Dates:

9 September 2024
6 January 2025

Colleges:

Bournemouth
Brighton
London
Oxford

Entry level:

Academic: Completed 10 years of schooling (GCSE or equivalent)
English: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent

Minimum age:

Length:

2 Academic Years (3 terms)
We also offer an entry from Year 12.

Lessons:

Average 7 hours per week for each A-level subject (plus homework and private study)

Learning outcomes

Gain UK national university entrance qualification
Raise English to university level
Develop study skills required at degree level
Develop specialist subject expertise

Course content and structure

The following syllabus outline is based on Edexcel exam board content. Please note that exam boards may vary from college to college.

Year 1

Democracy in the context of the UK

Direct democracy and representative democracy
Participation

A wider franchise

History of UK franchise extension
Barriers to the franchise

Group Politics

Pressure groups
Other organisations and groups: think tanks, lobbyists and corporations

Rights in context

Historical development of rights in the UK

Political parties

Introduction to UK political parties
Political party funding
Established political parties: The Conservative Party, The Labour Party,The Liberal Democrats
Emerging and minor UK political parties
The current UK party system — a multi-party

Electoral systems

Elections and democracy
First Past the Post Voting system
Other electoral systems used in the UK
Referendums in the UK

Voting behaviour and the role of the media in politics

How the UK votes by region, class, gender
The role of the media

UK Government: The Constitution

Nature and history of the UK Constitution
Constitutional change since 1997 — the Labour Party
Constitutional change since 1997
Conservative Party 2010 – 7
Devolution in England
Devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Debates on further constitutional reform

Parliament

The structure and role of the Commons and the Lords
Functions of Parliament
Powers of the Commons and Lords
Effectiveness of Parliament

The PM and the Executive Branch

The structure, role, and powers of the executive
The concept of ministerial responsibility
The PM and the Cabinet
The Supreme Court

The EU

The aims, role and impact of the European Union (EU) on UK government
The location of sovereignty in the UK political system
Core Political Ideas: Liberalism, Conservatism, Nationalism, Socialism

Year 2

The US Constitution

The nature of the US Constitution
The principles of the US Constitution

US federalism

The main characteristics of federalism
Interpretations and debates around the US Constitution and federalism

Democracy and participation: electoral systems

Presidential elections
The main processes to elect a US president
The importance of incumbency on a president seeking a second term
Interpretations and debates of US democracy
Campaign finance
The key ideas and principles of the Democratic and Republican parties
The distribution of power and changing significance of the parties
Coalition of supporters for each party
Interest groups in the USA

US presidency

Formal sources of presidential power as outlined in the US Constitution
Informal sources of presidential power and their use
Interpretations of the US presidency

US Supreme Court and civil rights

The nature and role of the Supreme Court
The appointment process
The Supreme Court and public policy
The protection of civil liberties and rights
Race and rights in contemporary US politics

US Congress

The structure of Congress
The distribution of powers within Congress
The functions of Congress

Typical A-level subject combinations with Government and Politics

Government and Politics, Geography and Maths
Government and Politics, Geography and History
Government and Politics, Economics and Maths

Sample enrichment activities

Houses of Parliament trip
Current Affairs and News Club
History film Club

Trinity Arts awards
Debating Society

Sample academic calendar (2022-2023)

Year 1

Sept

5th: term starts
Student induction

Oct

24th – 28th: half term
Progress tests

Nov

University fairs and talks

Dec

9th: term ends
End of term exams

Jan

3rd: term starts

Feb

9th – 10th: half term
Progress tests
University fairs

Mar

End of term exams
17th: term ends

Apr

3rd: term starts

May

Progress tests

June

Exams
9th: term ends

Year 2

Sept

11th Sept: term starts

Oct

23rd – 27th: half term
15th October: UCAS deadline (Medicine)
Progress tests

Nov

University fairs and talks

Dec

15th: term ends
End of term exams

Jan

8th: term starts
15th January: UCAS deadline (other subjects)

Feb

15th – 16th: half term
Progress tests

Mar

22nd: term ends
Mock exams

Apr

8th: term starts
Progress tests

May

Final exams

June

14th June: term ends

Degree progression

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. Example degree courses which generally require or accept Politics A-level include:

Economics
History
International Relations
Journalism

Law
Politics
Social Policy

Sample alumni progression

Elda Lauka

Politics/Economics/Maths
University of York (Politics with International Relations)

Anar Gyulyumov

Politics/Economics/Maths
University of York (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

Lidingrong Huang

Politics/Economics/Maths
University of York (Economics)

Thank you for your enquiry.
We'll be in touch soon.
The Kings Admissions Team

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A-level Government and Politics

Overview

Key Facts

Learning outcomes

Course content and structure

Year 1

Year 2

Typical A-level subject combinations with Government and Politics

Sample enrichment activities

Sample academic calendar (2022-2023)

Year 1

Year 2

Recommended reading

Degree progression

Sample alumni progression

University Progression

Elite Preparation

Other programmes

Core Pre-university Programmes

Elite University Pathways

Specialist University Pathways

Summer Academy

Other programmes

Progression to the UK's Top Universities

Hear from our students

Progression agreements

Subject/Career Guides

Step inside Kings.Read our blog

The Kings Difference

Learning at Kings

Life at Kings

Support at Kings

A-level Government and Politics

Overview

Key Facts

Learning outcomes

Course content and structure

Year 1

Year 2

Typical A-level subject combinations with Government and Politics

Sample enrichment activities

Sample academic calendar (2022-2023)

Year 1

Year 2

Recommended reading

Degree progression

Sample alumni progression

Contact Us

More ways to get in touch

Enquiry form

Step inside Kings.
Read our blog