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Key Details

Course Area:

Humanities and Social Sciences

Student Type:

16 - 18 | A Levels

Course Type:

A Level course

Course Introduction

Sociology is the study of society and the communities which make up our world. Why do certain groups of people behave in a certain way, how does this impact their lives and who ultimately benefits?

If you are interested in what makes society tick and how we are affected by the society we live in, this is the course for you.

You’ll study key concepts such as power, gender, ethnicity and culture, as well as mass media, education, crime, deviance and religion.

The research, study and written skills you’ll develop throughout the course will be an excellent foundation for university and your future career.

You’ll learn to question and challenge ideas and assumptions, critically examine evidence, and experience lots of discussion and debate.

The main topics that are covered are Family, Education, Research Methods, Methods in Context, Religion, Crime and Deviance. All of these topics break down into smaller areas, please see a few examples below:

  • Theories of the Family
  • Changing Family Patterns
  • Policies in Family
  • Childhood
  • Ethics and Research
  • Forms of Research
  • Theories and Education
  • Class and Achievement
  • Ethnicity and Achievement
  • Gender and Achievement
  • Religious Organisations
  • Theories and Religion
  • Globalisation and Religion
  • Theory and Crime
  • Media and Crime
  • Globalisation and Crime

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Subjects that go along well with Sociology are Psychology, Media, Geography, English Literature and Law.

Course Information

A Level Sociology

Level 3

2 year A Level Programme:

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 7 or above

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.

There are three exams taken at the end of the course.

  • Paper 1 Education with Theory and Methods (2 hours)
  • Paper 2 Topics in Sociology (2 hours)
  • Paper 3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (2 hours)

University routes can include studying Sociology, Criminology, Psychology, Policing, Social Work, Youth Work, Geography and Social Care.

In terms of careers students have gone into Policing, local Government/Council, care fields and businesses.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Related Courses

A Level Geography

A Level History

A Level Politics