Government and Politics provides you with the opportunity to understand how the UK and USA are governed, developing an understanding of the world around you. You will also develop your own personal skills in research, constructing arguments and reaching and evaluating judgements.
College entry, (please refer to the Entry Requirements section for further details).
During the course you will study the political ideas that exist in the UK as well as the way in which the country is governed. You will examine the philosophies of the main political parties, and the way in which democracy works in the UK and how citizens can participate in it. You will also investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the system of government in the UK by studying the working of Parliament, the office of Prime Minister and the role of the Courts. In the second year you will widen your understanding of government and politics by studying the political system of the USA in comparison to the UK, and also study key ideologies which lay the framework for the beliefs of the political parties and the voters which elect them, with a specific focus on socialism, liberalism, conservatism and anarchism.
Government and Politics will provide you with an academically recognised qualification which also provides a range of skills which are highly sought after by employers and universities. You will learn how to use information you are provided with to construct analytical arguments and challenge the principles of established ideologies. You will be able analyse politics in the UK and USA and make judgements about them in response to questions and areas of debate. In addition you will be able to debate objectively and with confidence, evaluating ideas about government and politics.
These skills can be applied to a number of careers in the civil service, security services, law, as well as business and project management. You will get the highest marks for the most recent examples, highlighting how the subject tracks the most recent developments.
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Our Elective Programme is designed to help you develop your gifts and interests as part of an enhanced level 3 programme. We will help you realise your potential by nurturing your talent and preparing you for study at the most prestigious universities or for progression to competitive higher-level apprenticeships. Your options range from our Honours Programme, which might include following a fourth A level, to specialist Futures Programmes that will support your career goals.
If you’re not quite ready to start on a Level 3 Technical course (T Levels) or a Vocational Level 3 course (BTEC) but want to begin on the path to your chosen career, the Transition Programme could be for you.
Transition Programmes are tailored to prepare students to move onto Technical or Vocational Level 3 study. They will give you the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, your work readiness skills and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts that you will need for future study and employment.
As part of the Transition Programme you will study a BTEC Level 2 Award in your chosen subject area as well as the BTEC Level 2 Extended Award in Work Skills. You will also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
Entry criteria for Transition Programmes is four grade 3s including grade 3s in English Language and Maths GCSE.