Subject
Sociology
Course
AQA Sociology A Level
Exam Board
AQA
For more information contact Head of Department:
Mrs B Tanda
Brief introduction to subject:
AQA A-Level Sociology gives students the tools to understand how society works and why people behave the way they do. For example, when studying education, learners explore how factors like social class, gender, and ethnicity influence achievement, which links directly to real-world debates about inequality in schools and government policy. In crime and deviance, students examine why certain groups are more likely to be criminalised, connecting to issues such as policing, media representation, and social justice. Topics like families and households help explain changing family structures, divorce rates, and the impact of migration, all of which shape everyday life. By applying sociological theories and research methods, students learn to critically analyse social problems—skills that are relevant to careers in law, politics, social work, and beyond. In short, the course isn’t just abstract theory; it’s about making sense of the structures and challenges that shape the world we live in.
Course Requirements
Grade 5 in English and a least 4 other GCSE at grade 5
Assessment
Subject Content
The course last two years and after two years the students the students will sit three papers.
Year 12 Content
 Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
- Education system: Functions of schools, role in socialisation, meritocracy debates.
- Differential achievement: How class, gender, and ethnicity affect attainment.
- School processes: Teacher expectations, labelling, pupil subcultures.
- Policy: Marketisation, privatisation, reforms aimed at equality.
- Methods in context: Applying sociological research methods to education (e.g., interviews, questionnaires).
- Theory & methods: Positivism vs interpretivism, debates about sociology as a science.
Paper 2: Topics in SociologyÂ
Families and Households:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Family Diversity
- Changing Roles
- Childhood
- Demographic Trends
- Theories of the Family
Media :
- Ownership and Control
- Representation
- Media Effects
- Globalisation and the Media
- New Media
- Media and Crime
- Media and Politics
 Year 13Â
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and MethodsÂ
- Explanations of crime: Functionalist, Marxist, feminist, interactionist perspectives.
- Social distribution: How crime varies by class, gender, ethnicity, age.
- Control & punishment: Surveillance, policing, prisons, alternatives to custody.
- New forms of crime: Green crime, state crime, cybercrime, globalisation of crime.
- Theory & methods: Revisiting sociological perspectives and research debates.
Progression
Social Researcher – designing and conducting studies on social issues.
 Advice Worker – supporting individuals with housing, employment, or welfare queries.
 Community Development Worker – helping communities improve resources and opportunities.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer – promoting fairness in workplaces and institutions.
Housing Officer/Manager – working with tenants and housing policy.
Policy Officer – shaping and evaluating government or organisational policies.
 Teacher/Lecturer – teaching sociology or related subjects in schools or universities.
Law & Justice: Barrister, probation officer, police officer, youth worker.
Health & Care Professions: Social worker, counsellor, health service manager, care worker.
Government & Civil Service: Civil Service administrator, local government officer, diplomatic service officer.
