Is Politics a Good A Level?

A Level Politics is a respected academic subject that explores how political systems work, how decisions are made, and how power shapes society. It is a good choice for students who enjoy current affairs, debate, and evaluating different viewpoints, while developing skills that are valued by universities and employers.

Key Takeaways

• A Level Politics is a respected academic subject that is widely accepted by universities.

• It develops valuable skills, including analysis, evaluation, research, and argument construction.

• The subject works particularly well alongside History, Economics, Sociology, English, and Law.

• It is best suited to students who enjoy discussing ideas, evaluating evidence, and engaging with current affairs.

What Do You Study in A Level Politics?

A Level Politics helps you understand how political systems work, how decisions are made, and why people disagree about the way society should be run. Many students enjoy the subject because it connects directly to issues they see in the news and debates that shape everyday life.

Topics vary slightly between exam boards, but most courses include:

• UK politics and democracy

• Government and political institutions

• Political ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, and socialism

• Political participation and elections

• Rights, freedoms, and the role of the state

Some specifications also include comparative politics, allowing students to compare the UK political system with another country, such as the United States.

The subject is largely essay-based, so you'll spend time analysing evidence, evaluating competing viewpoints, and constructing well-supported arguments. If you enjoy discussing ideas and exploring different perspectives, many of the skills developed in A Level Politics can be both rewarding and highly transferable.

For a full breakdown of the specification, see our guide to A Level Politics topics.

Advantages of Studying A Level Politics

Develops Valuable Transferable Skills

One of the biggest advantages of A Level Politics is that it helps you develop skills that are useful both at university and in the workplace.

These include:

• Critical analysis

• Evaluation of evidence and arguments

• Research skills

• Written communication

• Argument construction

• Independent thinking

You'll use these skills throughout your A Levels and beyond. They are valued across a wide range of degree courses and careers, not just within politics itself.

Relevant to a Wide Range of Degree Courses

If you're not completely sure what you want to study after sixth form, Politics can be a flexible choice. It combines well with many humanities and social science subjects and can support applications for courses such as:

• Politics

• International Relations

• PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

• Law

• History

• Sociology

• Journalism

You'll also develop a broader understanding of current affairs and the issues shaping modern society, which can help you engage more confidently with topics discussed at university and in the workplace.

Encourages Independent Thinking

One of the biggest strengths of A Level Politics is that it encourages you to think critically about the world around you. Rather than simply learning facts, you'll evaluate evidence, consider contrasting perspectives, and develop your own well-supported arguments.

Ross McKenzie, Founder of Politics Online (opens in a new tab), believes this is one of the subject's greatest benefits:

"Come in with an open mind and a willingness to have your views challenged. The more you engage with perspectives that differ from your own, the more you will learn."

Learning how to assess competing ideas and justify your conclusions can help you become a more confident student, both during your A Levels and at university.

Encourages Engagement With the Real World

Politics is closely connected to contemporary issues, which many students find particularly engaging. You'll explore elections, government decisions, public policy, and debates that affect society today.

This real-world relevance can make the subject feel especially rewarding because you'll often see direct links between what you're studying and events happening outside the classroom.

Builds Confidence in Discussion and Debate

Politics encourages you to consider different viewpoints and support your opinions with evidence.

Many students find that their confidence grows as they become more comfortable discussing complex issues, evaluating arguments, and presenting their ideas clearly and persuasively.

Potential Drawbacks

It's a Heavily Essay-Based Subject

A Level Politics is a good fit if you enjoy reading, writing, and discussing ideas. However, if you prefer numerical problem-solving or practical work, you may find it less appealing than subjects such as Maths or the sciences.

Strong writing skills can make a real difference to how well you perform in A Level Politics. Most assessments involve extended written answers, where you'll need to explain political concepts, analyse evidence, and evaluate different viewpoints. 

You Need to Stay Engaged With Current Affairs

You don't need to follow the news every day to do well in A Level Politics. However, taking an interest in current events can make the course much easier to understand and enjoy.

Many students find that regularly reading the news, listening to political podcasts, or following major political developments helps them make stronger links between their studies and the real world.

It's Not Usually a Required Subject for University Courses

A Level Politics is respected by universities and can support applications for a wide range of degree courses. However, unlike subjects such as Maths, Chemistry, or Biology, it is rarely a specific entry requirement.

If you're aiming for a course such as Medicine, Engineering, or a physical science, you'll usually need to prioritise any required subjects before choosing Politics.

It Requires You to Consider Different Perspectives

Politics rarely offers simple right-or-wrong answers. Throughout the course, you'll be expected to evaluate competing arguments, consider different viewpoints, and reach balanced conclusions.

Many students enjoy this aspect of the subject because it encourages independent thinking. However, if you prefer subjects with more definitive answers, you may find Politics more challenging than some alternatives.

See our guide Is A Level Politics Hard? for more details about the challenges involved in studying the subject.

How Universities View A Level Politics

Universities generally view A Level Politics as a strong academic subject, and it is widely accepted for university entry. Admissions tutors will welcome students who have developed the analytical, evaluative, and communication skills that come from successfully studying this course.

The subject is particularly relevant if you're considering degree courses such as:

• Politics

• International Relations

• PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

• Law

• History

• Sociology

• Journalism

Politics also combines well with a range of other A Levels. Popular A Level subject combinations include:

• Politics, History, and English Literature

• Politics, Economics, and Maths

• Politics, Sociology, and Psychology

• Politics, History, and Law

One advantage of A Level Politics is its flexibility. While it can strengthen applications for politics-related courses, it is not usually a required subject for university entry. This means you can benefit from studying Politics without limiting your future options.

If you're considering a particular degree course, it's always worth checking the entry requirements before making your final A Level choices. Some courses require specific subjects, while others simply ask for strong academic qualifications.

What Careers Can A Level Politics Lead To?

A Level Politics can support a wide range of career paths because it develops skills in research, analysis, communication, and evaluating evidence. 

While some students go on to study Politics or International Relations at university, many use the subject as a foundation for careers in other fields.

Possible career paths include:

• Politics and public policy

• The Civil Service

• Law

• Journalism

• Public relations and communications

• Teaching and education

One of the unique aspects of studying Politics is that it can lead to careers that allow you to influence society and help shape the future. It can be a useful subject for students interested in charities, international development, business, and the wider public sector.

For some students, the appeal goes even further. As UCAS highlights in its Politics subject guide (opens in a new tab), Politics graduates can pursue careers where they influence public policy and help shape society. 

Studying Politics can be the first step towards representing your community or pursuing elected office. Today's A Level Politics students could become tomorrow's MPs, ministers, or political leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Level Politics respected?

Yes. A Level Politics is widely accepted by universities and is considered a strong academic subject. 

It develops valuable skills in analysis, evaluation, research, and communication that are useful across a wide range of degree courses and careers.

Can I study Politics at university without A Level Politics?

Yes. Most Politics, International Relations, and PPE degree courses do not require A Level Politics. 

However, studying the subject can give you a useful introduction to political ideas, institutions, and debates before starting university.

Is A Level Politics harder than A Level History?

The two subjects develop similar skills, including essay writing, analysis, and evaluation. Many students find Politics easier to engage with because it focuses on contemporary issues, while A Level History often requires learning larger amounts of factual content. 

Ultimately, which subject feels harder will depend on your interests and strengths.

Final Thoughts

A Level Politics is a strong choice if you're interested in current affairs, debate, and understanding how decisions are made in society. It develops valuable analytical and communication skills, is well regarded by universities, and can support a wide range of degree courses and career paths.

Many students enjoy Politics because it feels relevant to the world around them. If you like discussing ideas, exploring different viewpoints, and understanding the issues shaping modern society, A Level Politics can be a rewarding subject to study.

References

• Interview with Ross McKenzie, Founder of Politics Online (opens in a new tab)

• Politics Subject Guide | Why Study Politics At Uni? | UCAS (opens in a new tab)