Sociology A Level

Applications Open: - 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th January 2026

How to Apply: - via Kent Choices

Entry Requirements: - Students must meet the following academic criteria:

(a) Applicants must achieve at least an average GCSE grade of 5.7 from eight subjects (this must include at least one modern foreign language, at least one science and at least one humanity).

(b) Applicants must also have GCSE Mathematics and at least one English GCSE at a minimum of grade 5.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants wishing to be accepted on to a particular subject must achieve the requirements set down for that particular course in the Sixth Form Curriculum booklet

https://mgs.kent.sch.uk/admission/sixth-form-entry/

All students study 4 A Levels in Year 12 (Choose 5 subjects on the application form, with the 5th being a reserve). It is important that students refer to the 6th Form Curriculum booklet to ensure that they choose their courses appropriately. (There is the option to drop one of these subjects at the end of Year 12 and undertake an EPQ).

We do not require applicants to write a Personal Statement.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): Alongside our extensive A level offering, students are offered the opportunity to gain an Extended Project Qualification (Level 3). This research based qualification is an ideal way to prepare ahead of further academic studies and / or the working world. Students are able to research, plan and realise a 5000 word study on a topic of their choosing. Topics are wide ranging. Many students choose to explore topics that either complement their interests and academic studies or create a bridge to future career aspirations, for example in law or medicine. An EPQ provides ideal content for CVs, university applications and is worth up to 28 UCAS points. Importantly, many universities will lower their offer to students studying an EPQ because they recognise the skills and expertise students gain from studying an EPQ.

This new and exciting course is intended to engage learners in an intellectual journey by addressing important and contemporary social issues. Are we dominated by a global culture? Is our identity shaped more by nurture than by nature? Is the media a tool of propaganda for a ruling class? Is the education system designed to favour the interests of the middle class? Is religion a necessary means of helping us cope with modern social and psychological insecurities? Have we witnessed the breakdown in the family unit? Why is the divorce rate comparatively high in modern Britain? Is a sexually permissive society a threat to social order? Is social inequality natural or even desirable? Is it possible to have a fair society even if it is an unequal society? Who rules Britain? Is poverty an inevitable consequence of capitalism? How has the digital revolution impacted on our social experiences? Is the sexual objectification of women in advertising evidence that we live in a sexist society? How can we account for the rise in religious fundamentalism? Is there such a thing as secular fundamentalism? These are just some of the controversial and interesting questions that will be examined.

Components of study:

A Level Sociology (2-year course)

Paper 1 – Socialisation, culture and identity

Paper 2 – Researching and understanding social inequalities (extended version)

Paper 3 – Debates in contemporary society

For further information about the specific details of each component, please visit ocr.org.uk/alevelsociology.

A Level subjects that particularly complement Sociology are: Government and Politics, Philosophy, History, Geography, Classical Civilisation, English Literature and Psychology. Sociology is a recognised academic subject by all universities and can provide access to a wide range of degree courses in the field of Social Sciences, Humanities and Journalism. Please contact Mr Amin for any further questions and queries.

As above.

There are no specific subject pre-requisites for the A Level course, although students of GCSE History, Geography and Classical Civilisation will find an overlap in some of the themes and ideas. A Grade 5 in English Language is the only minimum requirement due to the essay based nature of the assessment criteria. Also, at least Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.

You could take this course to complement other Advanced Level courses, which could lead you onto 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 Social Services. It will help you to develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for, especially in the Health and Social Care sectors.