What is the course about?

Sociology is the study of contemporary society, of the way in which groups in that society interact, how institutions such as families and schools function and how power operates. It is of particular interest if you are curious about how modern society works and wish to develop your knowledge and understanding in this area. 

It is expected that prospective candidates will have a good standard of written English and have an active interest in current affairs. Sociology can be studied with a variety of other subjects. It can offer an interesting contrast to other areas of study, or it can be complementary. It usually appeals to students who enjoy discussion, are interested in what goes on around them and are fascinated by the way people behave.

Course content

• Sociological research, eg interviews, observations, surveys.
• The changing nature of family life and leisure.
• The education system and differential educational outcomes.
• Crime, deviance and social control .
• World sociology, global patterns of wealth and poverty.

Career pathways

Sociology is a well-regarded academic subject that equips students with a range of skills beyond the core curriculum, such as independent critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical writing – good preparation for almost any university degree, but particularly sociology, or in combination with other subjects like criminology. It is a useful subject for areas of employment that require working with people or that need investigative skills.

Assessment

3 x 2 hours exams at the end of Year 13. 

Entry criteria

Minimum of grade 6 in a GCSE subject that includes extended writing, eg English or history.