Sociology A Level AQA

Applications Open – 3rd November 2025

Applications Close – 31st July 2026

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The sixth form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Please apply via Kent Choices.

View our courses here

Sociology is the study of people in society. It is concerned with human associations and relationships in the institutions that affect our lives. Such institutions include the family, education, the criminal justice system, the media and religion.

Sociologists study social issues which are often the focus of much public debate, such as gangs and youth subcultures, boys’ underachievement in school, the reasons for and effects of single-parenthood and births outside of marriage, the effects of the media on violent behaviour... and so many more. Sociology uses a variety of theories and applied research methods to help to understand such issues. This can be a demanding task - but an interesting and rewarding one.

Students will study a range of topics which challenge them to understand the way that societies work. This course is ideal for those students who enjoy learning about the world in which they live and how they can contribute to it. It demands students’ ability to challenge their own understanding of human behavior and the issues we face.

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?

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!

We would recommend at least a grade 5 at GCSE in English Language and mathematics. It is not necessary to have studied sociology at GCSE level.

Having A Level sociology represents a person who can rationally debate a passionate subject, who can understand different demographics and their individual needs, look at arguments with an empathetic but level-headed objective view and with great social knowledge. You will be a strong candidate for jobs in advertising, media, journalism, careers guidance, counselling, and teaching amongst others.

Having A Level sociology can lead you to university degree courses in sociology, politics, ethics, philosophy, advertising, media studies, cinema studies, journalism amongst others.