AS Government and Politics
Curriculum enrichment · September 2027
Studying Government and Politics AS Level will equip you with an informed understanding of contemporary political structures and systems in the UK, and their context. You will debate current political issues and become confident in analysing, interpreting and evaluating political information to form arguments and make judgements.
Exam board
Edexcel
Course code
8PL0
Course contact
Mrs Carr, Subject Lead – History
Are you interested in…?
finding out where you stand on political issues and policies?
knowing who actually votes for the Prime Minister?
why no-one can say definitely what the rules governing the UK are?
why the proportion of the vote a party receives doesn’t match its share of MPs?
how laws are made (or rejected) in Parliament?
how powerful the Prime Minister and MPs really are?
how the media influences the government and elections?
Government and Politics can lead to a career in:
politics and the civil service
law and the justice system
finance, business and management
international relations, non-governmental organisations and the non-profit sector
media and communications
Government and Politics goes well with:
History
Geography
Sociology
Psychology
English Literature or English Language
French
Business
Entry requirements
GCSE English Language and English Literature grade 5 and grade 5 in a Humanities subject.
Course content
UK Politics
Democracy and participation in the UK, the role of pressure groups and other influences, individual and collective rights, UK political parties, voting systems, voting behaviour and the influence of the media. You will debate current proposals for change.
UK Government
The UK constitution, recent developments and current debates, the role of parliament and MPs, the powers and role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the role of the Supreme Court. You will consider recent changes including the impact of leaving the EU and changes in the balance of power, as well as proposed changes.
Study visit and enrichment opportunities
A study visit to Westminster, Whitehall, Parliament and the Supreme Court including a tour of parliament and education workshop.
Mock elections and opportunities to meet and interact with local MPs and electoral candidates.
Assessment
Two exams at the end of Year 13, with a mix of shorter answer and essay questions
Subject experts
Mrs Carr taught AS and A-level Government and Politics for several years, developing expert knowledge of the course and supporting students to achieve excellent outcomes. She has led many groups of students on visits to Westminster and her students have gone on to study Politics, International Relations, Law and other related subjects at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other prestigious universities, and to careers in politics and related fields. One former student is now the private secretary to the Minister for Early Education, having begun her career in the Communications Office of 10 Downing Street.