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Key details

Course areas
A LevelsHumanities and Social Sciences
Student types
16 - 18 coursesA Levels
Course type
A Level course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
High Pavement Sixth Form Chaucer Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LP
Course code
Parent course code:C000450 Child course code: Q000511
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Course introduction

Global Politics - democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, communism and republic – how do these political systems work and what impact do they have on citizens around the world?

Government and politics affects every aspect of our lives; our freedoms, our laws, the opportunities we have to succeed in life. At home in the UK debate continues on immigration, the health services and education.

In other countries, people are fighting for equal rights for women, access to schooling for children and the abolition of dangerous working conditions. Find out how global politics has developed over the centuries and where we’re heading in the future.

You will study:

  • UK Politics, including Democracy and Participation, Election, Political parties, pressure groups and rights in context
  • UK Government, including the Constitution, Parliament, The PM and the Executive
  • Political ideologies: Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism and Nationalism
  • Global Politics, including International Governance, Human Rights, Environmentalism, Regionalism and the European Union

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Subjects which complement A Level Politics include Sociology, Psychology, English, Economics, Business, Geography or History.

A group of people standing around a banner stating 'Nottingham College - you're in good hands'.

You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.

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Course information

2 years

Edexcel A Level Politics

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English Language at grade 5 and Maths at grade 4 or above
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 7 or above
  • You must also have studied an essay writing subject such as GCSE History or Geography.

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Exams consist of 30 mark source based and essay questions, 24 mark ideology essays, plus 2 x 12 mark Global Politics comparative questions

You could progress to a related higher education course such as politics, political studies, political history, sociology or international relations.

There are lots of careers open to you such as journalist, political researcher, local government officer or civil servant.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Elected Officers and Representatives

Potential Earnings

£156,592.63

Average Earnings

£67,637.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Public Services

People in these occupations administrate government programmes and services, work in the justice system, and ensure regulatory compliance.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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