A Level Sociology
Exam Board/Specification
AQA A Level Sociology
Course Content
This course allows students to explore how society is structured and how social factors influence behaviour, identity, and opportunity. Through topics such as culture and identity, education, media, and crime, students develop a deeper understanding of the forces shaping everyday life. Sociology encourages critical thinking, challenges assumptions, and examines contemporary issues and debates. By analysing real-world examples, students gain insight into social change and develop the skills to question and interpret the world around them.
At High Storrs students will study the following topics;
Education – Examines how education shapes society, achievement differences, school life, and the impact of policies and global trends.
Culture and Identity – Explores culture, socialisation, and how identity is shaped by society, including links to age, gender, ethnicity, class, disability, sexuality, and globalisation.
The Media – Looks at how media ownership, control, and globalisation influence content, representation, and how this impacts audiences.
Crime and Deviance – Examines crime, deviance, social order, patterns by social groups, global and media influences, and the role of the criminal justice system.
Theory and Methods – Covers research methods, data, theory, ethics, and the relationship between sociology, science, and social policy.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Paper 1 – 33%
- Written paper
- Education with Theory and Methods
Paper 2 – 33%
- Written paper
- Topics in Sociology
Paper 3 – 33%
- Written paper
- Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Skills and Prospects
Sociology is designed to give students an understanding of human social behaviour and to appreciate the various influences on their behaviour. Students are encouraged to have a general interest in the world around them, and to be prepared to consider various points of view on an issue, or appreciate several schools of thought.
This course is a popular choice. It is not necessary to have taken GCSE Sociology to do this course, though those who have will find it useful. It combines well with any A Level course offered in the Sixth Form.
Sociology could lead to many possible careers, including Management, Social Work, Local and Central Government, Teaching, Lecturing, Journalism, Medicine, Law, and other similar professional opportunities.
High Storrs Sixth Form Entry Requirements
A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 9 – 4. This must include:
• Mathematics Grade 4 AND
• English Language Grade 5 OR
• English Literature Grade 5 AND English Language Grade 4
Plus
Grade 4 in Sociology (if studied) AND Grade 5 in English Language OR English Literature