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Sociology (GCE A Level)

Shelley College

Huddersfield Road, Shelley, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 8NL

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Social Sciences

Available start dates

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Shelley College
1 Not Set
Full time
Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

Why study Sociology?

Sociology is an intriguing subject which involves exploring, analysing and evaluating patterns and trends in human behaviour, particularly in the context of British society.

As part of the course, students will identify contemporary social processes and social changes within society and examine theoretical explanations as to why these social processes and social changes have occurred.

In addition to this, they will also explore the impact of these things upon the lives and experiences of members of today’s society.

Sociology is for you if you enjoy using the following skills - analysing data and competing arguments; exploring trends in behaviour and it’s effects; understanding and evaluating sociological theories; presenting ideas in discussion; expressing ideas and views in extended writing; conducting independent social research into human behaviour; communicating in individual and group work.

Course Details

As part of the course students will identify contemporary social processes and social changes within society and examine theoretical explanations as to why these social process and social changes have occurred.

In addition to this they will also explore the impact of these things upon the lives and experiences of members of today’s society.

The course covers a range of sociological topics.

The A Level covers 4 topic areas:

Module 1 Education with Theory and Methods

Module 2 Families and Households

Module 3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

Module 4 Beliefs in Society

How will it be delivered and assessed?

A Level Exam structure

3 two hour exams to be sat in the summer of Year 13

Each paper is worth 33% of the overall grade.

Paper 1— Education with Theory and Methods.

Paper 2—Topics Paper covering Families and Households and Beliefs in Society.

Paper 3—Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods .

Entry requirements

The aim of our entry criteria policy is to ensure students are taking courses they are well suited to and are able to make progress in. We seek to provide courses well matched to the needs of our students, helping them to follow their chosen progression pathway.

Our main College entry requirements are as follows;

Entry Requirements

A minimum of five 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (at least to Level 4) from five different subject areas.

Purely vocational pathway require a minimum of four 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (at least to Level 4) from four different subject areas.

There will be three pathways which students can follow based on an average grade produced from their seven best GCSE results. The calculation being used for this van be seen overleaf.

Pathway

Average Grade

Programme of study

1

Average grade of 7 or higher

3 or 4 A Levels

2

Average grade of 5 to 6.9

3 A Levels or a mixed A Level and Vocational pathway

3

Average grade of less than 5

Mixed (A Level and Vocational) or Vocational pathway

The method for calculating your average grade and additional subject requirements are within our full entry criteria document which can be found on the Sixth Form section of our website:

http://home.shelleycollege.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply

As well as our general entry requirements, there are certain subjects which hold individual expectations based on GCSE outcomes.


For more courses like this, check our courses page.