The CCEA GCE Government and Politics specification develops critical thinking and skills that employers value, including problem-solving, creative thinking and decision-making.

This specification is available at two levels: AS and A2. Students can take the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification.

They can also choose to take the AS course as a stand-alone qualification.

In the AS units, students explore the political systems in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

Students who continue to A2 use their AS skills and knowledge to consider other democratic and non-democratic systems and the best way to govern any society.

The specification has four units:

Unit AS 1: The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland

Unit AS 2: The British Political Process

Unit A2 1: Option A: A Comparative Study of the Government and Politics of the United States of America and the United Kingdom
or
Option B: A Comparative Study of the Government and Politics of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom

Unit A2 2: Option A: Political Power
or
Option B: Political Ideas.