GCSE Sociology is available to external candidates. You do not need to have taken GCSE Sociology in order to study it at A-level.
Sociology Options
AQA GCSE Sociology - 8192
AQA syllabus, past papers and materials
What AQA say: Our GCSE Sociology specification provides students with the opportunity to study the sociology of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification. Our specification is designed to be suitable for students with no prior knowledge of the subject. Students will develop their understanding of complex social structures, empirical investigation and constructing balanced arguments, as well strengthening their analytical and research skills.
Assessments
Paper 1: The sociology of families and education (1 hr, 45 mins)
- The sociology of families
- The sociology of education
- Relevant areas of social theory and methodology
Paper 2: The sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification (1 hr, 45 mins)
- The sociology of crime and deviance
- The sociology of social stratification
- Relevant areas of social theory and methodology
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Eduqas GCSE Sociology - C200QS
Eduqas syllabus, past papers and materials
What Eduqas say: The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Sociology is designed to foster in learners an understanding and critical awareness of the social world around them. The specification focuses on the importance of social structure in explaining social issues. Learners will be encouraged to explore and debate contemporary social issues to enable them to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and to question their everyday understanding of social phenomena. By following this course, learners will develop their own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world. This specification will develop learners' ability to think sociologically in relation to their experience of the social world around them so that they are able to play a positive, active and informed role in society.
Assessments
Paper 1: Understanding Social Processes (1 hr, 45 mins)
This component covers the following topic areas:
- Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission
- Families
- Education
- Sociological research methods
A written assessment with a mix of short answer, structured questions and extended response questions, all compulsory. The extended response questions will require candidates to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the relevant specification content.
Paper 2: Understanding Social Structures (1 hr, 45 mins)
This component covers the following topic areas:
- Social differentiation and stratification
- Crime and deviance
- Applied methods of sociological enquiry
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CIE IGCSE Sociology - 0495
CIE Syllabus, past papers and materials
What they say: " Through the Cambridge IGCSE Sociology syllabus, learners explore aspects of social relationships, processes and structures; as a result, they develop a greater understanding of human societies and the role of continuity and change in social life. Learners are encouraged to evaluate critically a variety of different social, economic and political structures, thereby learning more about the sociological method, and developing an ability to assess different forms of information and evidence. By relating the syllabus to the local context, teachers can help learners apply their developing sociological knowledge and understanding to the analysis of their own lives and their participation in society."
Paper 1 - 2 hours (including 15 minutes’ reading time): Candidates answer one compulsory data response question and one optional structured question from a choice of two.
Paper 2 - 1 hour 45 minutes (including 15 minutes’ reading time): Candidates answer two optional structured questions from a choice of four.
This syllabus is examined in the June and November examination series.
Comments from Home Educators
"AQA Sociology is a relatively simple option for students who have interest in politics and working of society. We've done AQA from following the spec, textbooks and a group class for discussion. The longer mark questions can feel a bit scary when you start if you have a child who isn't a big writer, but they are quite 'formulaic' in how they are written so can practice techniques. It was my son's first subject and he's really enjoyed it. "
Resources
Printed Resources
AQA Collins textbook - Nice layout, useful activities, but I think lacking enough information. But if follow spec closely and supplement good base.
AQA Hodder textbook - More information but still gaps particularly around the key studies.
Hodder produce a couple of workbooks to supplement the textbook, answers available online. Paper 1 and Paper 2 .
Revision books My Revision Notes and Collins Revision Guides
Other useful books for reading around the subject Head's Up Sociology, The Sociology Book, Sociology; a Graphic Guide
Online Resources
Seneca Excellent resource. We've only used the free courses.
BBC Bitesize Sociology page - two units, on Understanding Social Structures, and Understanding Social Processes.
Gojimo Revision App Not used but free app.
Printable resources
Sociology Support training and support for sociology teachers. The resources section has some free printables.
Sociology Stuff Aimed at A'level, lots of free factsheets and questions. Many are relevant for GCSE.
Get Revising Lots of revision materials, worth checking the dates as some predate current specs
Collins Flashcards Free flashcards in the form of Q&As
TES Mostly paid resources and of mixed quality but if you feel need of something extra for a topic worth a look.
Blogs
All Sociology Instagram Instagram page
ReviseSociology A’level pitched resource but lots of useful commentary to help with the analysis side on the 12 mark Qs
Sociology Blog Aimed at Sociology teachers, lots of useful links and commentary.
Videos
Crash Course Fun way to reinforce ideas
Exam support Excellent videos for helping withe revision and exam prep, particularly using studies.
Podcasts
The Sociology Show Podcasts mainly in the form of interviews with contemporary sociologists
Podology Sociology Podcasts
Other resources
Key Terms List of key terms by AQA
Key Studies Summaries of key studies from AQA
Tutors2U Aimed at A’level mainly but good for checking key terms/ideas/studies
Sociology Twynham Another aimed at A’level mainly but useful for info on key terms/ideas/studies
Eddis Tutorial - CIE Sociology IGCSE . Home educator and tutor Samantha Eddis has a page of information on the CIE syllabus and resources, but which may also be relevant to other syllabuses.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation Useful for social stratification and poverty
There is a facebook group you can join for ideas, resources and support: FB group link
Distance Learning
Most home-educated students study Sociology GCSE successfully using just the textbook and free online resources, but some find a distance learning course suits their family better, or want to use a tutor occasionally for marking essays or past papers. Course providers can be found on the Correspondence Courses page.