Politics A-Level

Applications open: 20 November 2026

Application deadline: 12th February 2027 (Late applications continue to be acknowledged until results day)

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

The course is taught in an interactive manner with lots of debate, researching and time spent on discussion. The aims of this course are to develop knowledge and an informed understanding of contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context, both within the United Kingdom (UK) and globally. We also aim to develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes. Students will also develop the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements and most of all develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics

Component 1

UK Politics (9PL01)

Political Participation: students will study: Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.

Core political ideas: Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism.

Assessment:

Written exam: 2 hours (84 marks)

Section A Political Participation: One 30 mark question from a choice of two (each question uses a source) Plus one 30 mark question from a choice of two.

Section B: Core Political Ideas: one 24 mark question from a choice of two.

Component 2

UK Government

Section A: UK Government

The constitution, parliament, Prime Minister, executive, relationships between branches.

Section B: Non core political ideas - feminism

One idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism.

Assessment:

Written exam: 2 hours (84 marks)

Section A: One 30 mark question from a choice of two (each question uses a source) Plus one 30 mark question from a choice of two.

Section B: One 24 mark question from a choice of two

Component 3

USA: The US Constitution and Federalism; US Congress; US Presidency ; US Supreme Court and Civil Rights; Democracy and Participation; Comparative Theories

Written exam: 2 hours (84 marks)

Section A: One 12 mark question from a choice of two.

Section B: One compulsory 12 mark question on comparative theories.

Section C: Two 30 mark questions from a choice of three.

Useful websites:

https://www.tutor2u.net/students/a-level/edexcel-a-level-politics

https://www.studydog.co.uk/revision-tools/politics/

https://studyrocket.co.uk/revision/a-level-politics-aqa#google_vignette

Grade 5-9 in GCSE English. (If taken) 5-9 in GCSE History