Sociology

Course summary

Sociology is the study of society and social behaviour. If you're curious about human nature, enjoy debates around contemporary issues such as equality, poverty, crime, religion and education, then sociology A level could be for you. You may already have some knowledge of the subject from GCSE but you don't need to have studied it already to do the A level course. It's a social science, so along with the subject matter, you'll also be introduced to research methods used to study the behaviour of people in the society in which they live. Sociology will give you a strong set of transferable skills including critical thinking, communication, research and problem solving. There will be teacher led sessions, class-based discussion and debates, student-led presentations, films and podcasts and individual research. You will need to undertake private study, read around the subject and complete regular homework tasks to stay on track. There will be opportunities to hear from professionals and to take part in careers events to explore career pathways. Studying sociology can lead to a variety of careers and degree courses particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Critical thinking skills learnt in sociology provide excellent preparation for university in general and for career paths such as law, the police, criminology and journalism. Developing an awareness of different groups of people in society and their needs is valuable for professions in education, healthcare, social work and business functions such as marketing.