Sociology A Level

Applications Open: - Friday 14 November 2025

Applications Close: - 13 February 2026. Applications may be considered after this date but it is strongly advised to apply before this deadline.

Entry Requirements: - Admission to courses - This is based on your needs and staff advice, but you should be aware of these points: 1. You will need to obtain a minimum of six GCSE passes at Level 5 or above including Mathematics and English (a minimum of a grade 5 in the reformed GCSE qualifications in English and Mathematics) and grades 9-6 in their preferred A-Level subjects or nearest equivalents. 2. Subjects have clear entry requirements. You will find these under the course details or from Subject Heads.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices (Internal and External Students)

External Applicants - please click here (This form is for external candidates and parents/carers to book a slot to ask any questions about the admissions process and Sixth Form at Highsted Grammar School). Please be aware that it is first come, first served. We will try our best to accommodate your preferences but this might not always be possible).

Internal candidates - should contact their Head of Year directly.

Sociology will provide students with a broad understanding of society. Studying Sociology offers insights into social and cultural issues. It helps develop a multi-perspective and critical approach to understanding issues around class, culture, identity, religion, crime, childhood and social power. It is therefore relevant to a wide variety of careers. These include: Journalism, Teaching, the Police, Medicine, Probation, Social Work, Child Development, Psychology, Government and Criminology.

Sociology is a subject that deals with new ways of explaining the social world - known as sociological theories. Sociology involves the political and philosophical analysis of society, how it operates and influences our lives. Sociology offers a unique and fresh insight into the world that we take for granted. Good Sociologists will be able to ‘step back` from common-sense thought and instead analyse the social world in a critical, objective and rigorous fashion.

Sociology employs a wide variety of theories and concepts in order to interpret how and why humans behave as they do. Interpretation, analysis and evaluation of these theories encourage debate and curiosity.

To be successful in Sociology students need to have an interest in people and how and why they behave as they do. Students should show awareness of social and political issues, listen to current affairs on the radio and be familiar with quality newspapers. They must also be prepared to challenge taken-for-granted ideas in order to develop a deeper understanding of society. An ability to respect and listen to others, communicate ideas concisely and to present a balanced and critical argument is also desirable.

It is required that students have a grade Cat GCSE Sociology or for those who have not studied it before a grade 6 at GCSE English and Mathematics. Students do not need to have studied Sociology at GCSE; however, this would prove to an advantage at A Level and give students the opportunity to be team leaders in group activities.