Government and Politics
Entry Requirements
You do not need to have studied Government and Politics at GCSE in order to take an AS or A2 GCE course in the subject. It is more important that you should have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in politics and current affairs, a desire to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.
This course will appeal to students who:
- Enjoy debating current affairs and politics generally.
- Have a keen appreciation of the need to participate in the decision-making process.
- Like doing a subject that affects your everyday life.
- Like doing a subject that offers the opportunity to progress to a career in politics.
- Want to keep your options open-Politics can be a useful choice for a wide range of ca¬reers and can be combined with a wide range of science, social science and humanities subjects.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
Students with AS or A2 GCE Government and Politics have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. You learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These include collecting and analysing information and evaluating different political ideas and systems. Your written communicational skills will develop greatly as will your ability to question information given to you. These skills are in demand and are recognised by employers, universities and colleges as being of great value.
Government and Politics combines well with a range of science, social science and humanities subjects to lead to University courses in such areas as business, economics, law, media, philosophy and of course, politics.
Students who choose not to go on to higher studies will have well developed transferable skills that will allow them to explore a wide range of employment opportunities.
AS Government and Politics
AS Government and Politics provides an introduction to the main institutions and working of the UK political system. The AS course consists of two units, which are assessed by written examination.
Module 1: People and Politics
Studies include:
- What is citizenship and democracy?
- Electoral systems in the UK
- Political parties – their functions and policies
- Pressure groups and their influence
- The case for and against electoral reform
Module 2: Governing the UK
Studies include:
- The role of the House of Commons
- Cabinet Government and how it works
- How powerful are Prime Ministers?
- Judges and Civil Liberties
- The changing UK system
A2 Government and Politics
A2 Government and Politics explores and assesses key issues and ‘Ideologies’ in UK politics.