Sociology A Level
Course Overview
Sociology is the academic study of social behaviour, attempting to answer questions about why society works the way it does, and why people behave the way they do. Studying sociology is inherently interesting. It gives you the tools to understand behaviour and how the world operates. You will never be the same again!
In Year 1, you will study the role and purpose of education; educational policies, teacher-pupil relationships; and educational achievement of different social groups. You will investigate different sociological views on the role of the family, the changing experience of childhood and relationships between couples. You will also learn about the way in which sociologists study society, and the methods they use to do this.
In Year 2, you will study the social role of religion, including explanations for the rise of religious extremism, the debate about whether the world is becoming more secular, and new religious movements including cults and sects. Then move onto the causes of crime and why some groups are more likely to break the norms of society than others. You will examine green crime, state crime as well as media representation and influence on crime.
Sociology forces you to look at the world in new ways. You will study theories of key sociologists and have the opportunity for discussion, drawing on your own experiences and opinions, enabling you to relate to relevant sociological ideas and evidence. We make use of outside speakers and arrange trips, for example to local universities.
You will develop a range of transferable skills, including the ability to think sociologically, by placing yourself in the shoes of others, developing essay skills of analysis and evaluation and presenting information academically. The study of Sociology at this level can lead to a range of further studies and possible careers including: law, police work, journalism, teaching, the medical professions, human resources, social work, management, civil service, probation work and the world of business in general.
Year 1 Modules
- Education
- Families and Households
- Theory and Methods
Year 2 Modules
- Crime and Deviance
- Beliefs in society
- Theory and Methods
Key Info
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Five GCSEs at Grade 5 including:
- Grade 5 in either GCSE English Language* or GCSE English Literature.
- Grade 5 in GCSE Sociology if taken
- Grade 5 in another GCSE Humanities subject (e.g. GCSE History, GCSE Religious Studies, GCSE Geography)
- Grade 4 in GCSE Maths
*a minimum of Grade 4 in GCSE English Language is required to study this course.
Assessment
- 100% Exam
- Exam Board: AQA
Why choose this course?
Do you enjoy discussion and debate? Are you happy to complete extended writing tasks and enjoy reading texts and news articles? Sociology forces you to look at the world in new ways. You will have the opportunity for frequent discussion, drawing on your own experiences and opinions and enabling you to relate these to relevant sociological ideas and evidence. A wide range of teaching methods are used, including individual, small group and whole-group tasks.
Skills you'll gain
You will develop a range of transferable skills, including the ability to think sociologically, by placing yourself in the shoes of others, developing essay skills of analysis and evaluation and presenting information logically.
After Long Road
The study of Sociology at A level can lead to a range of further studies and careers including:
- Law
- Police work (including degree apprenticeships)
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Marketing
- The Health Care Professions
- Personnel work
- Social Work
- Probation Work
Some degree courses being taken by students who recently completed their studies are:
- Sociology at Royal Holloway
- Sociology at University of Sussex
- Sociology with Criminology at ARU and Manchester Metropolitan
- Law at the University of East Anglia
- Education at the University of East Anglia
- Social Work at Leeds.
- Social Anthropology and world philosophies at SOAS
As a department, we have close ties with the University of Essex, University of Portsmouth, ARU and UEA Sociology departments, and have visited the universities or welcomed representatives to the college. We have also been able to welcome contemporary sociologists to the college to share their research experiences.
I chose Sociology because I’m interested in the study of society and our relationship with it, and how it shapes us. You can gain a lot of skills from Sociology including writing essays, using analysis and evaluation, as well debating which will be invaluable in all areas of life, particularly university or future job roles. I'm excited to learn about the crime and deviance topic next year.
