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If you’ve ever watched the news and wondered why politicians make certain decisions, or how laws, elections, and global events shape everyday life, A Level Politics might be the subject for you.
It’s normal to feel unsure about what studying Politics actually involves. Some students imagine it’s all about debates or memorising facts, while others aren’t sure if it’s more like history or economics.
So, what is A Level Politics? It’s an engaging, contemporary course that teaches you how governments work, how decisions are made, and how ideas influence the world around us. It helps you understand how power operates in the UK, the US, and around the world.
Along the way, you’ll develop analytical and communication skills that are valued in almost every career.
Key Takeaways
A Level Politics explores how power, government, and democracy work.
You’ll study UK politics, global or US politics, and political ideologies.
The course builds real-world understanding, critical thinking, and communication skills.
It’s ideal for students who enjoy debate, analysis, and connecting ideas to current events.
What Is A Level Politics?
A Level Politics explores how power operates in the UK and beyond, from Parliament and elections to the role of ideas, media, and public opinion. The course helps you understand how political systems function, how decisions are made, and why people and parties think the way they do.
According to Ross McKenzie, Founder of Politics Online (opens in a new tab), which supports students and teachers studying UK and global politics, “A Level Politics explores how power operates in the UK and, depending on the board and options you study, the US and the wider global context too. You will study how institutions work, how decisions are made, and how ideas shape political behaviour.”
Because Politics is a contemporary subject, what you study is always connected to real events. You’ll analyse and discuss topics such as:
elections and voting behaviour
political parties and pressure groups
the media’s influence on politics
government and Parliament - how laws are made and decisions are implemented
Another major part of the course is exploring political ideologies - the ideas and values that shape societies and parties. Most exam boards include:
Liberalism
Conservatism
Socialism
Some also cover topics such as feminism or nationalism. These theories help you understand why politicians and voters think differently about key issues like freedom, equality, and justice.
A Level Politics is primarily essay-based, helping you to:
build strong, evidence-led arguments
evaluate different viewpoints
express ideas clearly and confidently in writing
In short, A Level Politics is ideal for students who want to understand how the world really works - how decisions are made, how ideas shape policy, and how citizens influence power.
What Topics Will I Study?
A Level Politics explores the key systems, ideas, and debates that shape power in the modern world. The exact content depends on your exam board, but most courses include three main strands.
UK Politics and Government
You’ll examine how the UK is governed, from Parliament and the Prime Minister to elections, political parties, and pressure groups. You’ll also explore how the media and public opinion influence political decisions.
US Politics or Global Politics
Depending on your exam board, you’ll study either US Politics or Global Politics. In the US option, you’ll compare institutions like Congress and the Presidency with their UK equivalents. Global Politics examines international relations and the influence of global organisations, such as the UN.
Political Ideologies
Every student studies the core ideologies of liberalism, conservatism, and socialism. Some exam boards also offer optional ideas such as feminism, nationalism, anarchism, or ecologism, showing how different thinkers and movements challenge mainstream politics.
How Is A Level Politics Assessed?
A Level Politics is assessed entirely through written exams. There’s no coursework. This means your grade depends on how well you can structure arguments, use evidence, and analyse political ideas under timed conditions.
Most exam boards use a similar format: three exam papers at the end of Year 13, each focusing on a different aspect of the course.
Typical structure:
Paper 1: UK Politics - elections, political participation, political parties, and pressure groups.
Paper 2: UK Government - the constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the judiciary.
Paper 3: Optional route, usually US Politics or Global Politics, depending on your school and exam board.
Each paper tests your ability to:
Write clear, balanced essays using political theories and examples.
Compare systems or ideologies (especially in Edexcel (opens in a new tab) and AQA (opens in a new tab)).
Analyse sources or extracts, applying knowledge to real-world political contexts.
Politics rewards students who think critically and stay informed. The more you can connect theory to real events, the stronger your answers will be.
What Skills Will You Learn?
A Level Politics builds a powerful set of transferable skills that extend far beyond the classroom. You’ll learn how to think critically, construct persuasive arguments, and evaluate different viewpoints. All the while, you’ll ground your ideas in real political examples.
You’ll also develop strong essay-writing and research skills. You’ll learn how to present balanced, evidence-based answers. This makes Politics especially valuable if you’re considering subjects like law, history, economics, or sociology at university.
As McKenzie notes: “The subject develops your ability to build arguments, use evidence and evaluate competing perspectives. If you want to study something current, analytical and rooted in the political climate as it is, Politics is for you.”
These skills also have real-world value. Whether you’re analysing a news story, writing a report, or debating an issue at work, Politics teaches you how to approach information with clarity, fairness, and curiosity.
Who Is A Level Politics Best Suited To?
A Level Politics is ideal for students who are curious about the world and want to understand how power and decision-making really work. It suits those who enjoy thinking critically, forming opinions, and engaging with real events rather than abstract theory.
McKenzie explains, “A Level Politics suits students with an active interest in current affairs and the world around them. You do not need to read a newspaper cover to cover every day, but you do need to keep up with reliable news sources and be curious about how government and politics work in the UK, the US and globally.”
A Level Politics is a great choice if you:
enjoy debate, discussion, and exploring different opinions
keep up with current affairs, and want to understand how the world works
like reading, writing, and developing persuasive arguments
are interested in law, history, economics, sociology, or international relations
It’s a subject that rewards curiosity and open-mindedness. The more you engage with what’s happening in the world, the more you’ll get out of it.
What Can You Do With A Level Politics?
A Level Politics opens doors to a wide range of university courses and careers. Many students go on to study Politics, International Relations, or Law, while others apply their analytical and communication skills in subjects such as Sociology, Economics, or History.
The subject builds valuable transferable skills, including:
researching effectively
judging the reliability of sources
constructing evidence-led arguments
evaluating complex issues from multiple perspectives
These abilities are highly valued by universities and employers alike.
McKenzie explains: “The transferable skills are wide-ranging. You will learn how to research effectively, judge the credibility of sources, construct evidence-led arguments and take a balanced, holistic view of complex debates.”
Politics doesn’t just lead to Parliament. It equips you for a wide range of professions:
Government and the Civil Service, including departments such as the Foreign Office, Treasury, and the Prime Minister’s Office
Journalism and media, reporting or analysing political events
Public policy and think tanks, developing ideas to influence government decisions
Charities and NGOs, focusing on issues like human rights, education, or climate change
Research and education, from academic analysis to public engagement
Whatever path you choose, A Level Politics helps you understand how the world works, and gives you the tools to make an impact within it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Level Politics hard?
A Level Politics can be challenging because it’s essay-based and requires you to think critically about real-world issues.
However, if you enjoy reading, debating, and analysing information, most students find it rewarding and manageable. The key is to keep up with current events and practise structuring balanced arguments.
Is there any coursework in A Level Politics?
No. A Level Politics is assessed entirely through written exams at the end of Year 13. So consistent revision and essay writing practice are key to success
Do you need to be good at debating to take A Level Politics?
Not necessarily. While you’ll discuss ideas in class, what really matters is how well you can structure arguments and evaluate different viewpoints in writing.
The ability to think critically and present evidence clearly is far more important than being an outspoken debater.
Final Thoughts
A Level Politics is a dynamic, thought-provoking subject that helps you make sense of the world around you, from elections and media influence to the big ideas shaping society. It’s ideal for curious students who want to build analytical skills, form balanced opinions, and understand how real power works.
Whichever A Level courses you’re considering, explore Save My Exams’ A Level study resources to find revision notes, past papers, and expert study tips designed to help you succeed.
References
Interview with Ross McKenzie, Founder of Politics Online (opens in a new tab)
AQA A Level Politics (7152) Specification (opens in a new tab)
Edexcel A Level Politics Specification (opens in a new tab)
OCR AS/A Level Government & Politics Specification (opens in a new tab)
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