Politics: IB & A-Level

Standard/Higher Level

Aims

Global Politics develops students’ understanding of key political concepts such as power, equality, peace, and sustainability across local, national, and global contexts. It fosters international-mindedness, encourages recognition of multiple perspectives, and builds the ability to evaluate and interpret competing political claims. Students engage critically with pressing political challenges through discussion, debate, inquiry, and experiential learning. 

Course Content

Global Politics is an interdisciplinary subject that draws upon political science, International Relations, Sociology, Philosophy, and History. It combines abstract theoretical exploration with real-world examples and case studies. The subject encourages students to compare and contrast political issues across different societies, recognising the interconnected nature of the modern world.   

Core Theme – People, Power, and Politics 

All students study the core theme through four central units: 

• Power, sovereignty and international relations 

• Human rights 

• Development 

• Peace and conflict 

• Experiential Learning   

All students complete an Engagement Activity, in which they investigate and experience a political issue first-hand, linking theory with practice. 

Higher Level Extension 

HL students also study two contemporary global political challenges, analysed through detailed case studies that connect theory to real-world political dynamics. 

Assessment Details

Standard Level 

• Paper 1 (30%) – 1 hour 15 minutes – Source-based analysis on core topics 

• Paper 2 (45%) – 1 hour 45 minutes – Two essay responses on thematic and integrated topics 

• Internal Assessment (25%) – Engagement Activity: experiential project with written report 

Higher Level 

• Paper 1 (20%) – 1 hour 15 minutes – Source-based analysis on core topics 

• Paper 2 (40%) – 2 hours 45 minutes – Two essay responses on thematic and integrated topics 

• Paper 3 (20%) – 1 hour 15 minutes – Stimulus-based questions on global political challenges, supported by case study evidence 

• Internal Assessment (20%) – Engagement Activity: experiential project with written report 

Complementary Subjects 

Global Politics complements other Group 3 subjects such as Economics and History. It also connects well with Philosophy, Environmental Systems & Societies, and Literature, due to its emphasis on ethical debates, culture, and representation. 

Aims

A Level Politics explores how power is gained, exercised, and challenged in modern societies. It’s ideal for students who are curious about current affairs, enjoy debate, and want to understand how government decisions are made. The course builds analytical and evaluative skills through the study of UK and US political systems, ideologies, and global issues – making it excellent preparation for university courses such as law, history, international relations, and PPE.

Course Content

Students will study the systems, ideologies, and debates that shape political life in the UK, the USA, and beyond: 

• UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
  Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour, and the role of the media.
  Core ideologies: Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism. 

• UK Government and Non-Core Ideologies
  The constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches of government and the EU.
  One optional ideology: Anarchism, Ecologism, Feminism, Multiculturalism, or Nationalism. 

• Comparative Politics: USA
  The US Constitution and federalism, Congress, the Presidency, Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, and comparative political theory.
  Students will evaluate similarities and differences between UK and US political systems. 

Assessment Details

• Component 1: UK Politics & Core Political Ideas
  2-hour exam – 33%
  Essay and source-based questions. 

• Component 2: UK Government & Non-Core Ideologies
  2-hour exam – 33%
  Essay questions including one on the optional ideology. 

• Component 3: Comparative Politics (USA)
  2-hour exam – 33%
  Short and extended essays comparing UK and US systems. 

The Syllabus

Pearson Edexcel (9PL0)

Further Information

• No prior knowledge of politics is required, but an interest in news and current affairs is essential. 

• Politics pairs well with subjects such as History, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, and Law. 

• This A Level opens pathways to careers in law, government, international relations, journalism, policy, and public affairs.