Career Pathway: Politics, Policy and Advocacy
Understand political systems, analyse policy with evidence and learn to make a fair, persuasive case.
This pathway is strictly non-partisan: students study the arguments on every side and learn to build a case on evidence. They compare political systems, examine how elections and public opinion work, analyse policies with tools such as stakeholder mapping and cost-benefit analysis, and plan ethical advocacy campaigns. Long case studies (for example, a clean-air campaign in a large city, or negotiating a regional water agreement) are followed by questions that test analysis and judgement. The placement is with a think tank, advocacy organisation, NGO, media house or a legislator’s office.
- Length
- 6 months, three days a week
- Classes
- 4.5 months, at the centre or online
- Placement
- 1.5 months
- Ages
- 15–18
What students get
Module 1: Political ideas and systems
Democracy, ideologies, constitutions and comparative politics.
Module 2: Elections and representation
Parties, electoral systems, public opinion and polling.
Module 3: Policy analysis
Problem definition, evidence, options, cost-benefit and stakeholder analysis.
Module 4: Advocacy and campaigns
Theory of change, coalitions, ethical lobbying and campaign planning.
Module 5: Media and persuasion
Speechwriting, opinion articles, debate and responsible use of social media.
Module 6: International relations
Diplomacy, international organisations, trade, climate and security.
Every topic, three ways
In-depth theory, a long case study of about 1,000 words, and practice questions with model answers.
Placement and capstone
Six weeks with a host and a campaign plan pitched to a panel.
Learn the field, then practise it
4.5 months
Classes three days a week, at the centre or online: theory, case studies and practice questions.
1.5 months
Placement with a host organisation in the field, guided by a mentor.
Capstone
A mock trial, policy brief, campaign plan or project presented to professionals.
After
Portfolio, mentor reference and university and degree advice.
Three pathways with full programmes
Law and Legal Practice
Legal systems, contract, criminal, constitutional and international law, legal writing, advocacy and a mock trial.
See the programmePublic Administration and Civil Services
How government works, policy, public finance, management, ethics and the skills of public service.
See the programmePolitics, Policy and Advocacy
Political systems, policy analysis, campaigns, media and international relations, strictly non-partisan.
You are hereFields we plan pathways in
Every pathway is personal. Choose any field below in the enrolment form and we build the plan, the reading and the placement around it.
Real materials, ready from day one
Every Career Pathway: Politics, Policy and Advocacy student works from original Spectrum materials, written by our teachers, printed for class and available online in the Spectrum portal.
- 18 course packs and plans
- 2 guides for teachers and parents
- A student handout for every slide deck, with space for notes
- Answer keys and teaching notes for every teacher
Courses in this programme
Enrolled students and teachers open these materials in the Spectrum portal. Course materials are released in stages as the course runs.
| Course | Materials | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Complete course pack: six modules (theory, two case studies of about 1,000 words each, practice with model answers), slide decks, mentor guide and Campaign Lab capstone pack (available now) | 26 | 312 |
Also in this pathway
Career Pathways (6 months)
Career Pathway: Law and Legal Practice
Career Pathway: Public Administration and Civil Services
Enrol in Career Pathway: Politics, Policy and Advocacy
Tell us about the student’s interests and goals. Every Career Pathway is planned around one student, so this helps us build the right plan and find the right mentor and host.
Questions about Career Pathway: Politics, Policy and Advocacy?
Questions about programmes, fees or a free diagnostic? We reply within two working days.
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