SOCIOLOGY A-LEVEL

Course Detail

Sociology is the study of society, communities and social groups. We focus on understanding social inequality and seek to question taken for granted assumptions about the world in which we live. Over the two year course you will study: key concepts, such as norms, values and culture; core sociological theories, such as Marxism, functionalism and feminism; the role of youth subcultures in Britain; the impact of globalisation and digital technology; and explanations for criminal behaviour. Within sociology you will learn that it is your social world that has shaped you into the person you are today. If you’re interested in learning about your world, then sociology is the subject for you.

We follow the OCR specification. Over two years you will study the following:

• Socialisation, culture and identity, and families
• Researching and understanding social inequality
• Debates in contemporary society, including globalisation and the digital world and education.

Additional Entry Requirements

• GCSE English: 5
• GCSE Maths: 4

These requirements are in addition to the general entry requirements.

All A-Level courses are two year courses. You will sit the mock exams at the end of Year 12 and the A-Level exams at the end of Year 13. Although the mock grade will not count towards your final A-Level grade, you will need at least a grade D in Year 12 to succeed on this course in Year 13.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of year 12 you will be assessed through two written examinations; one lasting 1.5 hours and one lasting 2 hours 15 minutes, and contributing 50% towards your final mock grade. At the end of year 13 you will be assessed through three written examinations, the first lasting 1.5 hours and contributing 30% towards you final A-Level grade, and the final two lasting 2.25 hours and contributing 35% each. Although there is no coursework, sociology is an essay based subject. In each of your exams you will be required to write in-depth, well-structured and coherent essays, and be able to argue from a range of different sociological perspectives.

Where can this course take me?

Sociology is an excellent foundation for many university degrees due to the wide range of transferable skills you will develop. Skills include presenting a clear argument, writing a coherent essay, extracting key points from dense text, debating ideas as part of a group and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of complex theoretical arguments. You will also learn to design and conduct your own research, using a variety of different research methods. The skills and knowledge you will acquire are valued by employers from various job sectors, such as social work, marketing and advertising, journalism, education, the criminal justice system and public relations. Sociology A-Level is also useful for students wishing to study subjects such as sociology, psychology, history, geography or law at university.