Sociology

Course summary

The AQA Sociology A-Level explores how society works and why people’s experiences differ. Key topics include Education, Families and Households, Crime and Deviance, Beliefs in Society, Sociological Theories, and Research Methods, giving students the skills to understand social patterns, investigate issues, and analyse how factors like class, gender, and ethnicity shape people’s lives. You would be suitable for this course if you have a lively interest in the world around you, current affairs, how peoples’ lives are affected by the social group to which they belong (such as their gender, class or ethnicity), the actions of various institutions in society and whether we have true personal freedom. You need to be able to learn and remember lots of studies and theories. You should enjoy debating, be able to research meticulously, understand statistics, and prepare well-argued essays. This course combines well with any Humanities subject, Health and Social Care and Psychology. As a Social Science, it can also provide a broader outlook to the Sciences. Studying Sociology can lead to a wide range of careers, especially those involving people, communities, and social issues. It’s particularly useful for roles in social work, youth work, probation, policing, education, and healthcare, as well as careers in HR, journalism, marketing, and government or policy research. The subject also prepares students well for university courses such as Sociology, Criminology, Social Work, Law, Psychology, and Politics, making it a versatile choice with many future pathways.