EDEXCEL: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS AS AND A2 (ROUTE D)

Do you enjoy a good argument? Are you interested in current affairs? Do you think Tony Blair is a good or a bad Prime Minister or that the Conservative Party have good or bad policies? Are you interested in finding out more about how the Government, Parliament, Judges, Pressure Groups and other institutions work? If so Government and Politics AS is for you.
Then at A2 you can study International Relations finding out about (among other things) the role of NATO and the UN, the causes of conflict in the Middle East, the success of nuclear weapon strategies and the relationship between the UK government and others.

Entry Requirements

Enthusiasm for the subject with a willingness to join in discussions, to argue and to keep up to date with the news

Highlights

Small set sizes
Plenty of opportunity to debate
Chance to hear top Politicians speak
Improved analytical and evaluative skills

Content

1st Year AS
You can take just the AS on its own or study it as a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. The AS consists of three units covering:
Prime Minister, Pressure Groups, Judges, Cabinet, Elections, Political Parties, Constitution, Civil Servants, Parliament, European Union, Devolution and Theory.

2nd Year A2 International Relations
A2 completes the A level qualification and also covers many of the issues discussed at the Model United Nations. Again there are three units covering:
Key international organizations, key issues and conflicts today and the impact upon UK politics of developments at the international level.

Looking Further Ahead

In the last four years over 75% of Politics students achieved A or B grades so you should be well set up to follow the career or go to the university of your choice. Recently a number of students have studied Law, International Relations or Politics at University but the skills you learn will be useful for a wide range of courses.