A-level Politics: UK and US government, ideas and exams
A-level Politics (formerly Government and Politics): UK and US government, political ideas and how AQA and Edexcel examine it.
A-level Politics, called Government and Politics when this site first covered it, is one of the fastest-growing A-levels, with nearly 25,000 entries in 2026. You study how the UK and US are governed, how they compare, and the big political ideas from liberalism to feminism.
What you study
- UK government: the constitution, Parliament, the prime minister and cabinet, and the Supreme Court.
- UK politics: democracy, elections, parties, pressure groups and the media.
- US government and politics, and comparing the UK and US.
- Political ideas: liberalism, conservatism and socialism, plus one of nationalism, feminism, anarchism, ecologism or multiculturalism.
The exact topics depend on the exam board your school or college uses, so check its specification.
How it is examined
Like all reformed A-levels, it is a linear two-year course: you sit all the exams at the end of Year 13, and an AS taken along the way does not count towards the A-level.
| Exam board | Code | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| AQA | 7152 | Three 2-hour papers. |
| Pearson Edexcel | 9PL0 | Three 2-hour papers; a global politics option replaces US politics in some schools. |
Coursework: None. Calculator: Not needed.
Grades and how hard it is
In summer 2026, 24,824 students took A-level Politics in the UK. 8.1% were awarded an A* and 27.4% an A* or A, compared with about 28% across all A-levels in England. See how subjects compare in the hardest and easiest A-levels.
Entry requirements: Usually a grade 6 in English or History.
Where it can lead
A-level Politics is useful for politics, PPE, law, international relations, journalism, the civil service and public affairs.
Goes well with: History, Economics, Sociology, English Literature, Law.
Work out what your predicted grades are worth with our UCAS points calculator.
Tips for doing well
- Follow UK and US news every week: up-to-date examples earn marks.
- Learn key thinkers for each political idea.
- Practise balanced 30-mark essays with a clear judgement.
Questions people ask
Is A-level Politics hard?
It needs good essay skills and current knowledge. In 2026, 27.4% of entries got an A* or A.
Is Politics the same as Government and Politics?
Yes, it is the reformed version of the same A-level.
Do I need Politics for a politics degree?
No. History, English or Economics are just as good preparation.
