Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate in Comparative Government and Politics (Principal)
Qualification summary
This syllabus aims to encourage the development of skills that students require in their subsequent studies at university. It nurtures the ability of students to undertake independent and self-directed learning, and to think laterally, critically and creatively.
Assessment takes place at the end of the two-year course, which promotes coherence in assessment, and liberates learning by giving schools the chance to structure courses in ways most appropriate to their own students.
Comparative Government and Politics aims to develop:
• critical understanding of the nature of Politics and governance, of the structures of authority and power within political systems, and of the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes;
• critical comparisons across political systems to develop a critical awareness that such structures can and do differ in form and function;
• a developed awareness of individual rights and responsibilities in contemporary representative democracies;
• critical consideration of the works of key political thinkers;
• critical assessment of the ideologies, theories and traditions which have helped determine the nature of society in, and the political institutions of, contemporary representative democracies, including the development of these traditions in different societies;
• critical understanding of, and engagement with, current political and policy making processes and debates in a global context;
• a developed understanding of core concepts used by political scientists and political theorists;
• a lifelong enjoyment of, and interest in, Politics and active participation in the political process.
A key feature of the syllabusis is breadth of learning that provides for balanced study in the empirical and theoretical aspects of the discipline through study of more than one state, comparative political study, study of political ideologies and philosophies, and study of contemporary political debates.
Qualification details
OG - Other General Qualification
Accreditation start date:
Operational start date in centres:
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Botswana - Canada - Finland - France - Greece - Guernsey - India - Scotland - Spain - Uganda - United States
This syllabus aims to encourage the development of generic skills of independent study and research, and to promote critical thinking and self-directed learning – all of which are intended to provide for successful progression to Higher Education and employment. In addition, the syllabus provides deep learning in terms of knowledge and understanding that will provide a sound basis for progression to higher study in cognate subjects.
No specific job occupation
D1, D2, D3, M1, M2, M3, P1, P2, P3
The qualification is assessed using independent and holistic assessment.
The Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate in Comparative Government and Politics is assessed through four mandatory components. The assessments all take place at the end of the two-year course and a single grade is awarded. There is a strong focus on Contemporary Politics throughout.
Papers 1 and 2 give candidates grounding in the fundamentals of Political Studies by introducing critical study of core concepts, issues and structures in a theoretical and practical dimension. In both papers candidates will answer two short essays and one long essay, selected all from section A (UK) or all Section B (USA) or the short essays from one section and the long essay from the other. Each section will offer three short essays and three long essays.
Paper 1: Concepts and Institutions (UK and/or USA): considers governance.
Paper 2: Parties and Ideas (UK and/or USA): examines party Politics.
Papers 3 and 4 build on the above, offering opportunities for in-depth investigation of political philosophies and debates.
Paper 3: Ideologies and Philosophies: focuses on the interpretation of political ideas through study of texts. Five different options will be set per paper covering a range of different philosophical positions on the Political spectrum. Candidates will answer two of the options.
Stimulus for sub-question (a) will be supplied in the form of two extracts from Political texts. Candidates will have to engage critically with both extracts if they are to provide a full comparison of views. For sub-question (b), candidates will need to deploy their own knowledge drawn from extensive reading of texts to provide an evaluative answer to the essay set.
Paper 4: Contemporary International Debates: contexts and comparisons: focuses on thematic study of international Politics in a comparative context. It builds on skills, ideas and concepts developed in the previous three papers. Five essays will be set covering a range of issues across three themes: candidates must answer two. Answers will require comparative evaluation and analysis. Assertions will have to be justified.
Further details about the schemes of assessment and the content of the course can be found in the subject syllabus, available on www.cie.org.uk or direct from CIE.
The Cambridge International Pre-U Certificates in Principal Subjects can act as standalone qualifications but are also intended to form a part of the Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma, along with Global Perspectives and an Independent Research Report. It is expected that this Principal Subject will require a mimimum of 380 Guided Learning Hours. This is a notional measure of the substance of the qualification. It includes an estimate of the time that might be allocated to direct teaching or instruction, together with other structured learning time such as directed assignments or supported individual study and practice. It excludes learner-initiated private study.