Sociology AS/A Level 3

Applications Open: - 13th October 2025

Applications Close: - 18th November 2025

How to Apply: - Please apply directly to the school via our website www.twggs.kent.sch.uk. Follow the route 'Joining TWGGS', 'Joining The Sixth Form' to complete your application on Applicaa. For enquiries please contact admissions@twggs.kent.sch.uk.

We don't accept applications through Kent Choices.

Entry Requirements: - Entrance Criteria

Pupils entering the Sixth Form will be expected to have attained an average overall GCSE point score of at least 6 from their top 6 subjects. They must also achieve a minimum of a grade 5 in either English Language or Mathematics and a grade 4 in the other of English Language or Mathematics, and are usually expected to achieve at least a grade 7 in the subjects they wish to pursue at A level (or related subjects, as agreed by the school). In addition, pupils wishing to take Art or Design Technology will be expected to submit a portfolio of artwork and pupils wishing to take Music will be expected to have reached at least Grade 5 in their instrument or voice.

Offers will be made on the basis of predicted performance at GCSE, with the requirement that the above grades are achieved in the final examinations prior to entry to the Sixth Form and the pupil’s 3 or 4 chosen subjects being accommodated on the timetable, with no group size exceeding its maximum number of pupils.

All offers made during Year 11 are conditional on pupils meeting the grade criteria specified and will only become firm offers upon confirmation of actual GCSE results.

Exam Board: AQA

Sociology involves an analysis of human behaviour patterns and their relationships with each other. It is known as the Science of Society and incorporates topics such as Crime, Divorce, Poverty, Politics and Feminist Issues. By the end of the course pupils will not only be extremely well informed about topical issues which are constantly debated in the media, but they will also be able to present logical and coherent arguments about important social and political issues. An interest in current affairs is a valuable asset in studying Sociology.

Pupils might ask themselves about the alarming media reports of a staggering increase in crime. What are the reasons for this? What do the official crime figures really mean? What are the explanations for, and the social consequences of, the huge rise in the rate of divorce? Is intelligence inherited and fixed at birth, or do social advantage and other environmental factors account for an individual’s educational achievements? What are the reasons for, and the solution to, the increasing problems of unemployment, poverty and homelessness in our society? Issues such as these and many more are examined within the Sociology A Level syllabus.

Sociology provides a fascinating, new, enlightened, analytical perspective. Topics are relevant for many careers from law, the police, the probation service, industry and management to journalism, teaching, medicine and social work. Many courses for entry to these professions now have a compulsory Sociology component. Vocationally, specialist sociologists provide research for government departments and other major organisations, examining such phenomena as the London riots of 2011.

A LEVEL EXAMINATION

PAPER 1- EDUCATION WITH THEORY AND METHODS:

Education: short answer and extended writing (50 marks): candidates answer questions on the Role and Impact of Education, as well as Government Policies which may reduce, or exaggerate, inequality in educational opportunity. To stretch pupils to engage in theoretical debate while encouraging an active involvement with the research process

Methods in Context: extended writing (20 marks): the use of sociological research for studying an aspect of education such as Truancy.

Theory and Method: extended writing (10 marks): A critical awareness of contemporary issues and is encouraged, within a synoptic theoretical framework to demonstrate understanding and skills learnt in different aspects of the course.

WEIGHTING 33%, 2 hour paper, 80 marks

PAPER 2 - TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY:

Beliefs in Society (40 marks): The study of Beliefs in this paper should, in addition, engage pupils in theoretical debate while encouraging an active involvement with the research process. The study should foster a critical awareness of contemporary social processes and change, such as the significance of Religion and Religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of Secularisation in a Global Context, and Globalisation and the Spread of Religions.

Families and Households (40 marks): looking at the relationships between the economy and state policies on the changing patterns of families including issues such as Gender Roles, Domestic Labour and Power Relationships within the Family in contemporary society, the Nature of Childhood and Changes in Their Status in the family as well as Demographic Trends.

WEIGHTING 33%, 2 hour paper, 80 marks

PAPER 3 - CRIME AND DEVIANCE WITH THEORY AND METHODS:

Crime and Deviance: short answer and extended writing (50 marks): Crime, Deviance, Social Order and Social Control, and the Social Distribution of Crime and Deviance by Ethnicity, Gender and Social Class, including recent patterns and trends in crime. Globalisation and Crime in Contemporary Society; the Media and Crime, Green Crime, Human Rights and State Crimes are also studied, as well as Crime Control, Surveillance, Prevention and Punishment, Victims, and the Role of the Criminal Justice System and other agencies.

Theory and Methods: extended writing (30 marks): debates about Subjectivity, Objectivity and Value Freedom, and the relationship between Sociology and social policy, as well as the study of Gangs and Rioting.

WEIGHTING 33%, 2 hour paper, 80 marks

Various innovative teaching methods are employed with the aim of stimulating challenging discussion and developing a sociological imagination. Pupils should be prepared to participate enthusiastically in group presentations and to develop a diligent independent study habit. There will be many opportunities for assessment, based on building skills in short answer and longer essay style questions. Pupils may have the opportunity to attend a conference in London, which costs approximately £20 plus travel. ‘Sociology Review’ magazines are available at a reduced rate subscription of approximately £14. There is no coursework, and final assessment is by written examination.

You could take this course to complement other advanced level courses or to prepare for the A2 part of an Advanced GCE in Sociology, 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. Sociology is relevant for a very wide variety of careers from the police, probation officers, medicine, law, industry and management, to journalism, teaching, nursing and social work. Many of these courses (e.g. law, management and medicine), now have a compulsory sociology component. Vocationally, professional sociologists carry out research for government or other organisations. You could also go straight into a job as the AS GCE is a recognised qualification that will 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.