Sociology A Level

Applications Open – 4th November 2025 @ 9am

Applications Close – 1st June 2026 @ 5pm

Entry Requirements – Specific to the Subject

How to Apply – Please apply via KentChoices

Sociology is the study of society: how people interact in groups. It examines social behaviour from a variety of perspectives, it looks at the institutions and forces which shape and are shaped by groups within a society, such as the media, religion and education. Sociology focuses on contemporary society, providing an awareness of the importance of social structure and actions in explaining social forces and issues. Sociology helps you to develop knowledge and understanding of the different sociological theories and methods (such as Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism) and of the forces which have and will continue to shape social change.

Sociology makes a good companion to other A Level subjects such as Criminology, Psychology, History, the Sciences and other Arts subjects. It will open a range of avenues in numerous employment areas. Many students go into the Law, the Civil Service, Local Government, teaching, the Police, social work and social research.

How will I learn?

Throughout the course we will study and debate, among other things, questions such as:

Why do some people commit more crime than others?

Why are girls now out-performing boys in school?

What are the implications for a more diverse society?

What will I learn?

Using a range of engaging methods, we explore the following topics in sociology:

· Education This includes the roles and functions of the education system, the impact of policies, the hidden curriculum as well as a range of other issues.

· Families and households

This includes the sociology of personal life, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures.

· Crime and deviance

In this topic students explore crime, deviance, social order and social control crime control, surveillance, prevention and punishment, victims, and the role of the criminal justice system and other agencies.

· Global development

Issues in relation to aid and trade, industrialisation, urbanisation, the environment, and war and conflict as well as the role of transnational corporations, non-governmental organisations and international agencies in local and global strategies for development.

·Social research methods

Students examine the following areas: quantitative and qualitative methods of research; research design sources of data, including questionnaires, interviews, participant and non-participant observation, experiments, quantitative and qualitative data and much more!

Unit 1 (Education with Methods in Context): Education; Methods in Context; Theory and Methods

Short answer and extended writing questions, 2 hours, 33.3%

Unit 2 (Research Methods and Topics in Sociology): Families and Households; Global Development

Extended writing questions, 2 hours, 33.3%

Unit 3 (Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods): Crime and Deviance; Theory and Methods

Short answer and extended writing questions, 2 hours, 33.3%

At least 5 Grade 4 and above at GCSE including English and Mathematics. Ideally a Grade 5 in Religious Studies.

You could take this course with other advanced level courses to prepare for higher education in one or more of the Social Sciences such as Sociology, Development Studies, Anthropology or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Sociology and people such as a Social Worker, Teacher, Social Researcher or a more general position working within the Social Services. The course will also help you develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for, especially in the health and social care sectors.