AS/A2 Politics

Politics

Level: AS and A2

Exam Board: Edexcel

Syllabus No: AS 8067, A2 9067

What will I study?

Politics is a subject you are familiar with, even though you may not yet realise it! In the news everyday is coverage about how we govern ourselves, who has power and who makes the decisions. Our whole society and the way we live are shaped by politics. In the AS course you will study UK politics and then at A level the focus is on the main political issues.

• AS LEVEL Unit 1: People and Politics: Political Participation, Democracy, Referendums, Elections, Party Policies and Ideas, Pressure Groups Unit 2: Governing the UK: Prime Minister and Cabinet, Parliament, UK Constitution, Judges and Civil Liberties. .



• A2 LEVEL Unit 3: Unit 3: UK Political Issues: Social Welfare, Health and Education, Economic Policy, Law, Order and Criminal Justice, Environmental Policy. Unit 4: EU Political Issues or Global Political Issues: Impact of EU on UK, European Integration, EU Institutions, Policy Issues or Conflict, War and Terrorism, Poverty and Development, Environment, Human Rights.

How is this course assessed?

AS LEVEL There are two, 1 hour 20 minute written papers. Unit 1 has four structured questions students answer two from a choice of four. Unit 2 has two source based questions and students answer one. AS questions are divided into three parts with 5, 10, 25 marks. Unit 1 is taken in January and Unit 2 in June.

A2 LEVEL There are two 1 hour 30 minute written papers. Unit 3 and Unit 4 students answer three short questions from a choice of five and one essay from a choice of three. Short answers have 15 marks and essays 45 marks. Unit 3 is taken in January and Unit 4 in June. It is possible to re-sit AS and A2 papers to improve marks.

What next?

Studying Politics will develop your analytical and research skills and knowledge of how the world works, and is therefore a prized qualification for entry into university and employment. Politics students become journalists, lawyers, civil servants and teachers. They may also go on to work for political parties, international organisations like the European Union and United Nations, or other organisations like trade unions.