A Level Sociology
Get insights into the curriculum we offer, discover the topics and skills you’ll learn with us and find out why this is a great subject to study with us
Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole societies. Sociology will help you to think about society in a new and critical light, questioning the status quo and developing a sophisticated understanding of the real issues that affect the society we live in.
It is an excellent subject for showing you how society works and for making you aware of the range of conditions that individuals within society experience. Students often comment that they didn’t realise how varied the human experience can be and how powerfully group identity shapes a person’s future. Sociology is for you if you want to explore and understand society.
Entry requirements: Grade 6 in GCSE English or Grade 6 in GCSE Humanities subject
Course content
Sociology can make the world around you “come alive” and every day there will be examples for you to consider. During the course you will study the following topics over two years:
• Education and Methods in Context
• Research Methods and Families and Households
• Education with Theory and Methods
• Families, Households and Beliefs within Society
• Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Assessment?
1. Education with Theory and Methods: 2 hours (written paper) – 80 marks, 33.3% of A-level
2. Topics in Sociology: 2 hours (written paper) – 80 marks, 33.3% of A – level
3. Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods: 2 hours (written paper) – 80 marks, 33.3% of A-level
What you can do next?
Sociology develops several skills that are transferable and useful in a variety of careers. Analysis of evidence, evaluation and essay writing skills develop as do research skills. Sociology can directly lead you into higher education courses such as Law, Social Policy/Politics or Anthropology. Many areas such as Business, Marketing, Journalism, Social Research, Teaching, Management Consultancy, HR and Public Relations all require skills learnt in Sociology.