Sociology A level

Studying Sociology will allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the society in which we live. Sociology is the study of modern societies. Sociologists are interested in social institutions, such as the family, the education system, religion and the role of the criminal justice system and how these affect us. In studying sociology, you will be able to identify the changes which have occurred in society over the last century.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 38 points for your average GCSE score, Mathematics and English Language at grades A*-C plus at least three other GCSEs from our specified range of GCSE subjects and a satisfactory reference.

International Entry Requirements
IELTS 5.5, High School Certificate Grade C or above (or equivalent)

Content and Assessment

Four units are examined, two for the AS and two more for the full A Level. The AS provides a thorough foundation in the subject.

AS Unit 1 - Families and Households: in this unit students will look at a variety of issues relating to the family, such as changing patterns of marriage, co-habitation, separation, divorce and child bearing, the nature of childhood, and changes in the status of children.

AS Unit 2 - Education and Sociological Methods: in this unit students will look at the role and purpose of education, differential achievement by social groups, teacher pupil relationships and the application of sociological research methods to the study of education.

In the second year students will study Units 3 and 4.

Unit 3 - Beliefs in Society: in this unit students will focus on issues such as different theories of religion, the relationship between religion and social change, and religious organisations cults, sects and denominations.

Unit 4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods: this units consists of studying areas such as theories of crime, crime control and prevention, the study of suicide and the connections between theory and methods and crime and deviance.

Coursework

There is no coursework in this subject.

Course Duration

The A level qualification ia a full-time course achieved over a 2 year period. In the first year you study the AS modules and in the second year you will study the A2 modules. The year begins in September and runs through to the beginning of July.

Progression

Sociology will prepare you for higher education and a wide range of careers from teaching, social work and nursing to law and journalism.

Additional Information

Students will have the opportunity to attend a one day seminar presented by Keith Trobe who is a Principal Examiner for AS Sociology with a leading examination body and author of Sociology textbooks and teaching and learning materials.