Sociology

A Level Sociology (AQA)

Exam Board: AQA
Assessment Method: Three written exams, each lasting 2 hours and worth one third of the total A Level marks.

• Paper 1: Education, Sociological Theory and Research Methods

• Paper 2: Families and Households, The Media

• Paper 3: Crime and Deviance, Theory and Methods

Why Should I Choose This Course?

At its core, Sociology is the study of human society and social behaviour. It explores how people live, interact, and shape the world around them. We all experience aspects of society — from family life and education to media influence and community — making Sociology both familiar and deeply relevant. The subject encourages you to think critically about everyday life, social issues, and global change.

What Will I Learn?

Sociologists seek to understand and explain social events and patterns of behaviour. For example, what led to the August 2011 riots in English cities? Who was involved, how did the media respond, and what do such events reveal about inequality, identity, and social control? Through studying Sociology, you’ll develop the skills to investigate these questions — learning to analyse evidence, interpret data, and understand differing perspectives on social life.

Course Content:

Families and Households – Explore how family life has changed over time, considering issues such as gender roles, childhood, marriage, and diversity. You’ll examine the impact of social policy and wider social change on the family and its role in society.

Education – Investigate the role and purpose of education, patterns of achievement across different social groups, and how educational experiences are influenced by class, gender, and ethnicity. You’ll also study how sociologists research education in real-world contexts.

Research Methods – Learn how sociologists collect and analyse data to understand society. You’ll consider the advantages and limitations of methods such as interviews, observations, and questionnaires, and apply these to sociological topics.

Crime and Deviance – Analyse why individuals or groups commit crime, how society defines and responds to deviance, and what this reveals about power, control, and inequality. You’ll study theories of crime and the role of the criminal justice system.

Sociological Theory – Engage with the key perspectives that underpin Sociology, including Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, and Postmodernism. You’ll evaluate how these theories explain social order, conflict, and change.

The Media – Examine how the media shapes our understanding of the world, identity, and culture. You’ll explore topics such as media ownership, representation, and the impact of digital technology on society and behaviour.

How You’ll Learn:

Lessons are varied and interactive, combining class discussion, independent research, group projects, and debate. You’ll apply sociological ideas to contemporary issues using real-world case studies, media examples, and data analysis. This approach helps you build strong critical thinking, analytical, and essay-writing skills.

Assessment:

There is no coursework. Assessment is through three written exams at the end of Year 13. Each exam lasts two hours and is worth one third of the final A Level grade.

Where It Can Take You:

Sociology provides an excellent foundation for many university courses and careers, including law, politics, criminology, psychology, social work, education, journalism, and public policy. The analytical and evaluative skills you develop are highly valued in a wide range of academic and professional fields.

Entry Requirements:

Grade 5 or above in English Language.