Get First Past the Post: Why you should choose A Level Politics

It can be tricky choosing subjects to take at A Level - particularly when there are subjects on offer that you have never taken before, such as, the increasingly popular, Politics course. How will you know if you will enjoy it or it it's suitable for you? Here, Politics aficionado, Neville, explains what to expect from the A Level, what is required and why it's so enjoyable!

One of my fondest memories, during A Levels, was studying Politics (officially called ‘Government and Politics’). In fact, it was so enjoyable that I bagged myself an overall mark of 99%. And, whilst being a lark, there is no better time to study it than the present moment!

It is no secret that the world is experiencing a huge upheaval in the political landscape: Brexit, Trump, post-truth, resurgent Russia, and a whole host of other political phenomena has caused this seismic shift. A Level Politics is not about getting a grade, it now serves as your pathway through our present tumultuous times – a rare thing indeed!

So, why did I study Politics, and why should you? Well, at the time of selecting my subjects, I knew only a few things about myself:

1. I liked to argue and debate.

2. I enjoyed theatrics, rhetoric, and public speaking.

3. I was interested in how the world worked.

4. I was intrigued as to how institutions and people operate, and how they intertwine.

   
   

I can safely say, if any of those traits apply to yourself – then Politics is certainly the right choice for you too!

The reason why I give examples of what personality traits suit Politics is due to the fact that I really want you to enjoy it. The adversarial and controversial nature of Politics, policy, and political theory means you will naturally be debating with peers and teachers when studying the subject. This results in excellent academic discourse, but more importantly serves as a method to hone your argumentation skills when writing essays. Studying Politics A Level has provided me with the ability to posit and convey an argument as well as persuade the reader that I am in the right – a useful skill, not only for A Level exams, but also for life!

The study of Politics is very wide ranging, so it is often best to check with your school or institution as to what exam board you will be using. Depending on what exam board you do, has such a broad range of topics and areas to cover. Personally, I covered British politics, and Global politics. However, other boards offer different options:

AQA

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AQA has three papers and is conducted in a linear fashion (all exams are sat at the end of the course):

1. Government and Politics of the UK

2. The Government and Politics of the USA

3. Political Ideas

Each of the papers is worth 1/3rd of the final A Level grade, and each is composed of ‘medium length’ and essay style questions.

Edexcel

Edexcel has three papers and is also conducted in the linear fashion:

1. UK Politics

2. UK Government

3. Comparative Politics (either studying US Politics, or Global Politics)

   
   

Once again, the papers are worth 1/3rd of the final A Level grade. The first two papers are composed of long-style essay answers, whereas the third paper is composed of a mix of medium-length and longer length essay questions.

It should be noted that OCR, as a result of A Level reform, has made the decision to no longer offer A Level Politics.

In comparison to other A Levels, Politics is one of the more straight-forward options. The mark schemes lay out clearly what they are looking for, and the content is mentally stimulating, engaging, and will aid you in becoming an erudite writer and orator. So, if you find yourself shouting at the TV when watching PMQs, or simply sigh with exasperation when opening the newspaper, you might just be a fit for A Level Politics – and who knows, you might end up ruling the world…!

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Blog Post Crafted by Neville