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What A-levels do you need to study politics?

Good news! You don’t actually need an A-level in politics to study it at uni. But what subjects could swing an admissions tutor's vote in your favour?

By Andy Gardner (Careers Adviser) | 31 March 2025 | 2 minutes read

Politics is a popular degree that is normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level choices will help to prepare you for studying politics at degree level.

A-level subjects for politics

What A-level subjects are needed or essential for politics?

None! Politics is a popular degree that is normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level choices will help to prepare you for studying politics at degree level.

What A-levels are useful for politics

politics
history
philosophy
law
sociology

Other typical A-levels taken by politics students

maths
English literature
general studies

Take a look at individual politics courses on The Uni Guide to find out the most popular subjects students studied before attending, the entry requirements they ask for and lots more. Note that many degrees will be open to you whichever A-levels you choose.

Mix and match different A-level subjects to see where they'll lead, try our A-level Explorer tool

Which universities do students rate for their political scene?

University is often the place where people more involved in politics, or at least develop a greater awareness of particular issues; this may come about from joining political societies and groups, or simply interacting with lots of students from different backgrounds.

Students rated the political scene at their university in this survey by Which? University.

Examples of politics degree requirements

Below are a few Politics BA courses offered by different universities and the A-level entry requirements they ask for (as of 26 April 2024):

Lancaster University: ‘A,B,B’

University of Lincoln: '104 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent qualifications.'

University of Cardiff: 'A,B,B - B,B,B’

Other similar degree subjects

Even similar subjects may have slightly different A-level requirements to politics, so if you want to keep your degree options open, be sure to check the entry requirements of specific courses before you finalise your choices.

Take a look at some more articles on this topic.