Course Overview

Understand how culture, class, gender, and power shape the world around us with our A level Sociology course.

A level Sociology is a fascinating subject that helps you make sense of the structures, relationships, and institutions that influence people’s lives.

Sociology stands out at A level for its focus on real-world issues like identity, inequality, power, education, crime, and culture. You’ll explore how social groups interact and how systems like family, media, and education impact opportunities, behaviour, and beliefs.

This A level course builds valuable skills in critical thinking, analysis, and argument construction, skills that are highly useful in everyday life and widely valued in careers such as social work, education, journalism, criminology, or public policy. With the flexibility of online study, you’ll explore big questions about society at your own pace.

  • 80%
pass rate at Grades A* to C in 2025

  • elearning icon

    Interactive course

  • Dedicated tutor support

A level Sociology at a glance

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Exam board

AQA 7192

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

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UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (three):

  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)
  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)
  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There areÌýno academic requirementsÌýfor this course.

Course materials are written in English so aÌýgood level of written EnglishÌýis required.

course requirements icon
Requirements

Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Sociology for AQA, Vol. 1: AS and 1st-Year A level,ÌýK Browne, Polity Press, 2015
  • Sociology for AQA, Vol. 2: 2nd Year A level, K Browne, Polity Press, 2016

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to supportÌýlearn@nec.

course exam board icon
Exam board

AQA 7192

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There areÌýno academic requirementsÌýfor this course.

Course materials are written in English so aÌýgood level of written EnglishÌýis required.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

education icon
UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

course requirements icon
Requirements

Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Sociology for AQA, Vol. 1: AS and 1st-Year A level,ÌýK Browne, Polity Press, 2015
  • Sociology for AQA, Vol. 2: 2nd Year A level, K Browne, Polity Press, 2016

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to supportÌýlearn@nec.

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (three):

  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)
  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)
  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course

course exam board icon
Exam board

AQA 7192

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

education icon
UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (three):

  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)
  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)
  • 33.3% of marks Ìý(2 hours)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There areÌýno academic requirementsÌýfor this course.

Course materials are written in English so aÌýgood level of written EnglishÌýis required.

course requirements icon
Requirements

Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Sociology for AQA, Vol. 1: AS and 1st-Year A level,ÌýK Browne, Polity Press, 2015
  • Sociology for AQA, Vol. 2: 2nd Year A level, K Browne, Polity Press, 2016

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to supportÌýlearn@nec.

Why study A level Sociology

Future opportunities

  • Studying sociology at university.
  • A range of rewarding careers in fields such as international aid, charity work, probation and social work, HR, market research, public relations, marketing, law and journalism.

Course content

What you’ll learn…

Section 1

The sociology of education and schools

  • Introduction to sociology
  • Sociological perspectives on education
  • School relationships and processes
  • School subcultures
Section 2

Educational achievement

  • Class and educational achievement
  • Gender and educational achievement
  • Ethnicity and educational achievement
  • Educational policies
  • Methods in context
Section 3

Sociological research methods

  • The relationship between theory and methods
  • Planning research
  • Secondary data sources
  • Research methods for quantitative data
  • Research methods for qualitative data
Section 4

The sociology of families and households

  • Sociological perspectives on the family
  • Politics, social policy and the family
  • Changing families
SECTION 5

Childhood gender and demographic change

  • Gender roles and power
  • Childhood
  • Demographic change and the family
SECTION 6

Beliefs in society 1

  • Religion, science and ideology
  • Religion as a force for social stability
  • Religion as a force for social change
  • Religious organisations
SECTION 7

Beliefs in society 2

  • New religious movements
  • Gender, feminism and religion
  • Religion, ethnicity, age and class
  • Secularisation
SECTION 8

Crime and deviance 1

  • Social control, deviance and crime
  • Radical criminology
  • Labelling theory
  • Crime statistics
SECTION 9

Crime and deviance 2

  • Ethnicity, gender and crime
  • Social class and crime
  • Crime in a global world
  • The criminal justice system
SECTION 10

Revision – theory and methods

  • Revising sociological theory
  • Revising education and the family
  • Revising sociological methods
  • Revising beliefs in society and crime and deviance

    Affordable study

    Flexible payments and financial help

    • As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
    • Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
    • Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.

    Visit ourÌýFee information pageÌýor

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    Monthly instalments

    Study now, pay your way

    It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 month repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.

    To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.

    The 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä(365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and repayment plans see ourÌýFee InformationÌýpage.

    Course fee £730
    Deposit £73
    Amount of credit £657
    Monthly payment £54.75
    Duration 12 months
    Total repayment £730
    Cost of credit £0.00
    Rate of interest 0% APR representative

    Multibuy A levels

    Purchasing more than one A level? Use voucher codeÌýALMB10Ìýto receive 10% off at checkout.

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    With you every step of the way

    Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor

    You’ll have access to 1:1 support from your tutor. All 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.

    “I have over 20 years experience of teaching both Psychology and Sociology and I have worked as a senior examiner for a major exam board for many years. Sociology is an amazing subject and offers us an insight into the individuals and society around us. The course allows you to learn about various aspects of Sociology from what makes a person turn to crime to the loss of religious beliefs. Having studied Sociology for many years, I am still learning new and exciting aspects to human behaviour. Which aspects of the specification interest you will be a really personal discovery, this will allow you to investigate and learn more as your curiosity is raised. This means that I really enjoy working with students as they will always show me some insight or detail that I have never considered and it makes your studies collaborative.â€

    Mo, Sociology Tutor
    MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS

    Help when you need it

    Additional support for under 18s

    We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä’s uniqueÌýProgress TrackerÌýmakes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view tutor feedback to ensure effective learning.

    Our approach to home study

    Need help choosing?

    Talk to one of our course advisors

    Still unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?

    Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.

    • Ìýand someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
    • OrÌýcontact usÌýtoday by phone or email.

    We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.

    Frequently asked questions

    Your common questions and concerns answered.ÌýRead more FAQs.

    You’ll be supported by a qualified subject tutor who provides feedback on your assignments and helps guide your progress. Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.

    Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule. Others may include set dates — especially for things like exams or NEAs (Non-Exam Assessment) — to help you stay on track.

    Yes! You can connect with other learners in your course’s online forum. Many students find discussing topics with peers helps reinforce their learning — and helps them feel part of a wider learning community.

    Yes. Most 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You’ll earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.

    We’re also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.

    Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don’t lead to formal accreditation.

    Yes, 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä is a JCQ-approved exam centre, which means we can support your exam entry, provide verified access arrangements, and oversee non-exam assessments (NEAs) — essential for subjects like English, Science and Geography.

    Yes. Many students complete a one-year fast track option, especially if working towards university or career deadlines. You’ll need to commit regular study time and plan carefully around assignment deadlines and exams.

    If you’re unsure whether fast track is realistic, we’ll advise you.

    Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you’ll need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA — Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates — so don’t leave it too late!

    If you’re planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you’ll need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.

    Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.

    Yes — 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä is ideal for international students. Many of our courses are available worldwide, but there are a few things to check before enrolling:

    Exams: You’ll need to arrange a local exam centre. AQA does not offer international exams, so you’ll need to travel to the UK for those.

    Qualification recognition: Ensure your chosen qualification is recognised in your country.

    Our team is happy to help you explore your options.

    People who study A level Sociology also take…

    Purchasing more than one A level? Use voucher codeÌýALMB10Ìýto receive 10% off at checkout.