Guide to A Level Sociology
Sociology is a popular and well regarded A Level in the UK. But what does A Level Sociology involve, how difficult is it, and how can you achieve the top grade?
How hard is A Level Sociology?
Passing A Level Sociology should be considered relatively easy. In 2024, approximately 98% of students passed, achieving an E or above. However, doing well is more difficult and requires focus and dedication. Students wanting to achieve an A or above, which will help to make university applications more competitive, must devote an adequate amount of time to revision. Just 18.3% of students who took their exams in the summer of 2024 achieved an A or above, comparatively low compared to subjects such as Economics or Mathematics. So whilst this qualification may not be hard to simply pass, it requires strong preparation to do well in.
How to revise for A Level Sociology?
A useful start point when it comes to revision is to break down the content into smaller chunks and determine which parts of the specification you are least confident with. This will make the prospect of exam preparation a lot less daunting and will allow you to focus your time and energy into exercises that are more beneficial.
It is recommended that students set aside at least five hours a week for independent study per A Level subject. This way when it comes to exam season, breaking down your workload will become a lot more manageable as you will already have a handle on what you have and have not covered as well as your varying levels of confidence in each of these.
Practically, what revision works for each person differs. Some may find visual aides the most effective, such as flashcards, mind maps or posters. Others may prefer to focus on exam technique such as going through marking schemes or past papers. However, it is wise to vary your revision as much as possible in order to remain engaged and motivated. Another good form of revision, especially for a subject such as sociology where skills in written argument are essential, is to pair up with a classmate and put what you have learnt into practice with in person debates on contentious topics within the specification.
Grade boundaries for A Level Sociology?
Grade boundaries shift year-on-year and also depend on which exam board you use. However, for the most commonly used board, AQA, the boundaries for 2024 papers in which students could achieve a maximum of 240 marks are as follows:
A*: 186 marks
A: 167 marks
B: 142 marks
C: 117 marks
D: 92 marks
E: 67 marks
Different exam boards
The three main exam boards that offer A Level Sociology are: AQA, OCR, and WJEC. All of them require students to balance research methods and sociological theory with contemporary issues and core topics such as education, family and crime. However, specifics and exam structure for each board does differ. Please see below for links to the specification for each respective exam board.
How to get the best grade in A Level Sociology?
Achieving the best grade you can in sociology rests on your willingness to devote the right amount of time to learning key parts of the specification and honing your essay writing skills and exam technique. Further reading and consistent interest in current affairs will also mark your answers apart from others as you will be able to integrate your knowledge into your responses, making your writing more engaging and demonstrating your passion for the subject.
Scheduling revision sessions with any of the experienced tutors here at Simply Learning Tuition can help students to focus on gaps in their knowledge, build confidence to tackle the exam and work towards a grade they can be proud of.
What is the difference between A Level Psychology and A Level Sociology?
There is some overlap between psychology and sociology; however, the two subjects differ fundamentally in focus. Sociology examines groups, societal behaviour, and the factors that influence these dynamics, while psychology focuses on individual behaviour, exploring areas such as memory, attachment, and mental health. Taking both subjects together can provide a more holistic understanding and may enhance your performance in each. For students aiming to pursue social science degrees at university, studying both can demonstrate strong interest and a foundation in relevant topics. However, when selecting A Level courses, consider that some universities value a broader subject mix, which showcases flexibility and proficiency across diverse skills.
What can you do with A Level Sociology?
If you care about the world around you and are curious as to how politics and the values and beliefs of social groupings influence one another, then you will likely enjoy the study of sociology. Practically speaking, this subject will also prepare you well for further education, should that be your goal. A Level Sociology rigorously tests and ultimately improves students’ essay writing skills and proficiency in putting forward a convincing argument. Following on from this, the social focus paired with the fact that it is highly academic and essay-based makes sociology very suitable for students looking to pursue careers in law and criminal justice, local or central government, journalism and communications as well as police and probation services, social and market research and teaching and education.
However, depending on which university you wish to apply to, it is also important to consider taking what are often referred to as “hard” subjects, to complement your selection. For example, Cambridge’s guidance recommends that students have at least two of the following: English (language or literature), History, a language (French, German, Spanish, Latin) or Mathematics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sociology a difficult A Level?
Like any other subject, how challenging you find sociology will depend on your skills and interests. Crucially, it also depends on how much time you devote to memorising relevant terminology and case studies as well as how committed you are to practicing exam technique. Together, this will prepare you to be able to put together coherent and interesting answers easily.
What is in A Level Sociology?
What exactly will be included in your sociology specification will depend on which exam board you are with. However, generally speaking the study of sociology will primarily be focused on contemporary society and how factors such as family, religion, education, health and poverty have an impact on society and how these shift. See above for the course specifications of each exam board.
How respected is A Level Sociology?
If paired with traditional subjects for example, English Literature, Maths or History, then sociology A Level is respected by universities. It demonstrates awareness and curiosity about the social world that surrounds us. In addition, performing well in this qualification will demonstrate your analytical skills as well as your strong ability to write a convincing essay.
Do universities accept A Level Sociology?
Yes, although it is not a requirement to study social sciences. Most universities prioritise students who have at least two traditional subjects such as Maths, Physics, English Literature, History or a language (French, Spanish, German, Latin etc). Taking sociology will by no means damage your chances of getting into your chosen universities, however, this depends on which subjects you take alongside it. For instance, choosing sociology, psychology, and politics may not make you a competitive candidate for highly selective universities like Oxford or Cambridge, regardless of the degree you intend to pursue. For more guidance, it is advisable to check the specific requirements for the courses you wish to apply to.
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