← Citizenship Studies syllabus

EnglandCitizenship Studies

Politics and participation

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is democracy and how is the UK governed?

The meaning of democracy, the difference between direct and representative democracy, the nature of the UK as a constitutional monarchy, and the main parts of government.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the meaning of democracy, the difference between direct and representative democracy, the UK as a constitutional monarchy, and the main parts of government.
9 min answer →

How do elections work and what voting systems are used in the UK?

How elections work, the first-past-the-post system and its strengths and weaknesses, other voting systems used in the UK, and who can vote.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on how UK elections work, the first-past-the-post system and its strengths and weaknesses, other voting systems used in the UK, and who is entitled to vote.
9 min answer →

How can citizens influence decisions and hold power to account?

The ways citizens can participate in democracy and influence decisions, including voting, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, protest, and the role of the media.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on how citizens participate in democracy and influence decisions, including voting, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, peaceful protest and the role of the media.
9 min answer →

How do other countries govern themselves and how does this compare with the UK?

Key differences in how citizens can or cannot participate in politics in one democratic and one non-democratic political system outside the UK, compared with the UK system.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the key differences in how citizens can or cannot participate in politics in one democratic and one non-democratic system outside the UK, compared with the UK system.
9 min answer →

How is power shared between national, devolved and local government?

The role of local government and councils, the meaning of devolution, the powers of the devolved nations, and how power is shared across different levels of government.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the role of local government and councils, the meaning of devolution, the powers of the devolved nations, and how power is shared between national, devolved and local levels.
9 min answer →

How does Parliament work and what does the Prime Minister do?

The structure of Parliament including the House of Commons and House of Lords, how laws are made, and the roles of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the opposition.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the structure of Parliament, the House of Commons and House of Lords, how laws are made, and the roles of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the opposition.
9 min answer →

Where does political power reside in the UK and how is it controlled?

The nature of the uncodified British constitution, where sovereignty resides, the institutions of the constitution, and how the relationships between them control political power.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the nature of the uncodified British constitution, where sovereignty resides, the institutions of the constitution, and how the relationships between them control political power.
9 min answer →

How does the government raise and spend money?

How the government raises money through taxation, how it decides public spending priorities, and how economic decisions affect citizens and public services.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on how the government raises money through taxation, how it sets public spending priorities through the Budget, and how economic decisions affect citizens and public services.
9 min answer →