Politics PearsonEdexcel A level

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 23rd March 2026

Entry Requirements: an overall GCSE points score of at least 50 (including grade 4 or higher in both Mathematics and English Language) is required to enrol. You also need to qualify for each of the subjects (minimum 3) you wish to take - a GCSE grade 6 or higher (7 or higher for Mathematics and Music) is required. See our prospectus for full details.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Politics A level is a demanding and exciting course that covers a wide range of theoretical and practical topics relating to the UK political system, global politics, and political theory. We reflect on and debate the issues at the heart of today’s turbulent political climate.

Politics A level students will engage with seminal works of political literature and analyse the theories and ideas that have influenced the development of our domestic and global systems. Our goal is to help students equip themselves with a skillset that enables them to shape the future.

In terms of skills examined, Politics is essay based and revolves around constructing and evaluating written arguments.

Politics is an increasingly popular A level choice at the Langton, and sits very well alongside other humanities subjects. Many students every year go on to study Politics at university in the form of International Relations, PPE, joint honours with History, or other combinations. This is also a popular course for students who are considering careers in the legal profession, as Politics A level involves exploring the workings of the UK judiciary, the legislative process and developments in international law.

Employers from a wide range of industries look to recruit people who can analyse political trends and evaluate the causes and consequences of political change. Some students of politics go on to work in central or local government; work for pressure groups or political parties; some become politicians: most current frontbench MPs studied Politics. There is a demand for those with an in-depth knowledge of politics in journalism, law, finance, comedy, diplomacy and business.

Details of the Pearson Edexcel syllabus are as follows:

1. UK Politics (23.5% of the A level): exploring the nature of politics and how people engage in the political process in the UK. This includes studying:

• the emergence and development of the UK’s democratic system

• the role and scope of political parties

• the electoral systems that operate in the UK

• why individuals and groups vote as they do

• the role of the media in contemporary politics

2. UK Government (23.5% of the A level): exploring the nature of government in the UK - where, how, and by whom political decisions are made. This includes studying:

• the set of rules governing politics in the UK (the constitution)

• the powers and roles of the different branches of government

• recent constitutional change and the desirability of further reform

• where does sovereignty lie within the UK?

3. Political ideas (20% of the A level): exploring the key features of a number of core political ideologies and thinkers, including:

• liberalism

• socialism

• conservatism

• feminism

4. Global politics (33% of the A level): exploring a wide range of issues and challenges that shape politics on a global scale in the 21st century. This includes studying:

• different theories of international relations

• sovereignty and the economic, political and cultural impacts of globalisation

• the history and role of key international organisations such as the UN and NATO

• global economic issues, poverty, aid, and inequality

• international law and “humanitarian intervention”

• global environmental issues

• power, superpowers, conflict, war and terrorism

The A level is examined via three two-hour written examinations taken at the end of Year 13.

Grade 6 in GCSE English Language or Grade 6 in History is required.

Please note that applicants must also meet our overall entry requirements of scoring at least a total of 50 points (simply add up all your GCSE grades) and achieving a Grade 4 or higher in both English Language and Mathematics.