Sociology (AQA)

About this course

Sociology explores how society works and how individuals are formed by social structures and interactions within communities and with organisations. It examines social interactions, social structures and social change with a particular focus on families and households, education and crime. You will explore these areas while developing research skills, critical analysis frameworks and independent thinking.

A level Sociology is a strong foundation for many Social Science and Humanities degrees at university including Sociology, Criminology, Anthropology and Psychology.

It can be combined with English Literature, Psychology, Political Science or Business Studies for entry to a wide range of further study options.

It develops your critical thinking, research, data analysis and communication skills as well as your ethical and social awareness.

What you will study/learn

A level in Sociology covers the following units:

  • Education with Theory and Methods: Sociological explanation of functions of the education system, differential achievement by social groups, relationships and processes within schools and significance of educational policies; using data in research, choosing research topics and methods, concepts and debates within Sociology
  • Topics in Sociology: Culture and identity, Families and Households, Health, Work, Poverty and Welfare, Beliefs in Society, Global Development, The Media, Stratification and Differentiation.
  • Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods: social order and social control, the social distribution of crime and deviance, globalisation and crime in contemporary society, crime control; research methods.

Assessment:

The AQA A Level in Sociology assessment comprises three externally examined papers.

  • Paper 1: a two-hour exam testing Education with Theory and Methods- 33.3% of A level
  • Paper 2: a two-hour exam testing Topics in Sociology- 33.3% of A level
  • Paper 3: a two-hour exam testing Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods- 33.3% of A level

Entry requirements

Students applying for A Level programmes must have the equivalent of 4 GCSEs with a grade 5-8 (A-C grade) or better, or have taken A Levels previously, with unsatisfactory results, and level B2 English according to the CEFR for Languages; either IELTS 5.0 or better, or Cambridge FCE Grade C or above (this only applies to applicants whose first language is not English).

Students may also apply for A Level programmes if they have a satisfactory high school leaving certificate, or secondary school exit qualification, which is not equivalent to the A Level for UCAS purposes.

There are no specific previous learning requirements for AQA Sociology.

Awarding Body

AQA

Career Prospects and further study

Students with an A level in Sociology can pursue further study in Education, Humanities and Social Science and careers in Government, Community Development, Journalism, the Prison Services, Police and Social Services.