A-level Sociology: what you study and how it is assessed
How A-level Sociology examines education, families, crime and research methods, how it is assessed, and the grades students achieve.
A-level Sociology studies how society works: families, education, crime, inequality and power, and how sociologists research them. It had over 43,000 entries in 2026. It is essay-based, so it suits students who like debate and writing.
What you study
- Education, with research methods in context.
- Theory and methods: functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism and research design.
- Families and households, or beliefs in society, health, work, or the media (options vary).
- Crime and deviance.
The exact topics depend on the exam board your school or college uses, so check its specification.
How it is examined
Like all reformed A-levels, it is a linear two-year course: you sit all the exams at the end of Year 13, and an AS taken along the way does not count towards the A-level.
| Exam board | Code | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| AQA | 7192 | Three 2-hour papers, each a third of the A-level. |
| OCR | H580 | Three papers. |
| Eduqas | – | Three components. |
Coursework: None. Calculator: Not needed.
Grades and how hard it is
In summer 2026, 43,562 students took A-level Sociology in the UK. 5.5% were awarded an A* and 19.0% an A* or A, compared with about 28% across all A-levels in England. See how subjects compare in the hardest and easiest A-levels.
Entry requirements: Usually a grade 5 or 6 in English; you do not need to have studied it before.
Where it can lead
A-level Sociology is useful for sociology, social policy, criminology, law, teaching, social work, journalism and public sector careers.
Goes well with: Psychology, History, English Literature, Politics, Law.
Work out what your predicted grades are worth with our UCAS points calculator.
Tips for doing well
- Learn key sociologists and studies for each topic, with criticisms.
- Practise the structure of 20- and 30-mark essays.
- Link to current events and data: examiners reward up-to-date evidence.
Questions people ask
Is A-level Sociology easy?
The topics feel familiar, but the essays are demanding: 19.0% of entries got an A* or A in 2026.
Is Sociology respected by universities?
Yes. It is a well-established A-level accepted for most degree courses, including law and social sciences.
What is the difference between Sociology and Psychology?
Psychology studies individuals’ minds and behaviour; Sociology studies groups, institutions and society.
