A Level Sociology

Sociology is a contemporary subject, which is very much rooted in the present. It explains the way in which society “Works” and how individuals live together and co-operate through social institutions such as the education system, the family, religious institutions and the law.

Sociology examines the evolution of society and argues that a new type of society is evolving. Students enjoy the subjects as it is constantly evolving and they like to merge the academic side of the subject to current affairs, news and politics programmes which are relevant to boost the top grade in this subject.

It is an exciting and thought-provoking subject because it uncovers unspoken “truths” examining the exploitation of certain social groups like minority ethnic groups, females and the working class and explains through various perspectives, how we do not live in a fair society where everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

Sociology is an essay-based subject, requiring a lot of note-taking and independent reading and is a rigorous academically intensive A Level subject.

Course Units - 2 at AS and 2 at A2:

• AS 1: Education with Methods in Context - 1 hour 30 mins exam worth 60 marks
• AS 2:Research Methods and Topics in Sociology - 1 hour 30 mins exam worth 60 marks.

Note: This is a stand alone AS qualification.

• A2 1: Education with Theory and Methods - 2 Hour exam worth 80 marks (33.3% of A Level)
• AS 2:Topics in Sociology - 2 hour exam worth 80 marks (33.3% of A Level)
• AS 3:Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods - 2 hour exam worth 80 marks (33.3% of A Level)

Note: This is a linear A Level qualification. See page 3 of the prospectus for more details.

A Level Sociology Entry Requirements

This qualification requires pupils to have:

7 GCSEs A*-C - Including a B grade in GCSE English.

The ethic instilled in me by Sociology will never leave me and has laid the foundation for my degree in Psychology. Getting an A also helped.

Olivia Farrell. currently first year Psychology QUB.

I love the way Sociology retrains your mind to always see all sides of an argument and empathise with under-dogs and those who are labelled in society.
Lauren Fitzpatrick, Past Pupil