Sociology is a diverse subject that aims to understand how we are affected by the society and culture we live in. It looks at topics such as crime, education, families and religion, discussing how decisions made at both a personal and group level are shaped by the wider cultural, political and historical background.
Entry requirements
5 in GCSE English Language.
Assessment
3 written examinations, each exam is 2 hours and has equal weighting towards the final A-level:
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology: Families and Households; Beliefs in Society
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Sociologists ask questions about how society works and whether certain groups are included or excluded.
The kind of questions sociologists ask include:
Year One: Education, Families and Households and Research Methods.
Year Two: Crime and Deviance, Beliefs in Society and Theory and Methods.
Exam Board - AQA
Beyond Sixth Form
Sociology can be studied further at university as a degree, and compliments subjects such as psychology, law, teaching, business, social work and healthcare professions due to the broad understanding it gives of society. It is also useful in a number of careers which require a deep understanding of social and political processes such as marketing, advertising, PR, human resources and journalism.
