Government and Politics A Level

Applications Open - 1st November 2025

Applications Close - 15th December 2025

Entry Requirements - Candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 35 points from their best six GCSE subjects or equivalent (in the view of the School).

• Points will be on a 1-9 point scale, where Grade 1=1 and 2=2 etc.

• Candidates must also obtain at least a Grade 5 in English and Maths at GCSE or equivalent (in the view of the School).

Candidates must meet the specific requirements for each A Level course they wish to study as published in the 2025 Sixth Form Prospectus, which will be available on the website.

How to Apply - Do not apply through Kent Choices. Please apply via Cranbrook School Website using the following link: https://www.cranbrookschool.co.uk/admissions/sixth-form-admissions/

The Government and Politics A-level has produced some outstanding results in recent years and the new courses provide a challenging programme for students who enjoy discussion and ideas.

Politics is a challenging course, of intrinsic interest to anyone who reads the papers and follows current affairs. Through a study of UK political practices and structures, students are encouraged to reflect on events in current affairs. The Ideologies units are an eye-opening challenge to most students, forcing them to re-consider how they view society, the role of the state and the freedom of the individual.

There is a new component in the new A level of studying world politics. Here comparisons with international politics will help to broaden an understanding of how government is run, the issues that arise and how they compare with the UK.

Politics fits very well with History; a knowledge of 19th and 20th century British and European history will clarify political issues and vice-versa. Candidates should be good essay writers, willing readers of the serious papers and political magazines and ready to discuss topics freely.

The course is likely to consist of:

AS Politics (studied in Year 12)

Unit 1: UK Politics – democracy, parties, elections, voting and the media

Unit 2: UK Government – constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and executive.

A2 Politics

Unit3: Political Ideas – conservatism, liberalism, socialism and feminism

Unit 4: Comparative Politics – Global politics.

Minimum Grade 6 in GCSE History, Geography and English Literature

With a GCE in Government and Politics, you can progress to higher education courses such as degrees in politics, international politics/relations and political science as well as to degrees in related subjects such as history, geography, economics and social policy.

The study of politics can lead to a variety of careers within areas such as journalism and broadcasting, management, publishing, local government, public policy and policy research, interest groups, local government and the voluntary sector, as well as within politics itself.