Sociology A Level

Last year, 78 students went onto study Sociology-related degrees at 34 different unis. 

Many were combined with linked subjects e.g. social policy, criminology, anthropology, cultural studies, development studies, youth work, social work, childhood studies and education. 

Popular universities included Bristol UWE, Bristol, Bath, Brighton, Exeter, Leeds, Manchester and Sussex. In addition, 4 students went onto study Human, Social, and Political Sciences at Cambridge and 1 student Human Sciences at Oxford. 

Should I study Sociology at degree level? 

Sociology is the study of human social life and you can expect to cover topics such as work, families, gender roles, multiculturalism, media and culture and globalisation. Sociology will include lectures and seminars every week. There’s a lot of personal reading, coursework with research methods, and essays completed in exam conditions. 

Types of Sociology degree 

There is a huge range of Sociology related subject areas including: 

• Business development manager 

• Government advisor 

• Charity officer 

• Forensic accountant 

• Social Worker 

• Local government officer 

• Social Policy 

• Market researcher 

• Marketing executive 

• Newspaper journalist 

• Public relations officer 

Modules Might include: Observing society, Urban sociology, understanding deviance and social problems, Applied ethics, Media and crime, Nature and society, Sexuality and social control, Contemporary work and organisational life, Mobilisation, social movements and protest 

Entry Requirements 

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required 

• No Specific Requirements 

Useful to have 

• Sociology 

• Criminology 

• Psychology 

• Media studies 

Top Universities for Sociology 

Cambridge, Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Glasgow 
Sussex, Surrey, Sheffield, Keele – all very high student satisfaction scores 
Aston, Portsmouth, Essex, Liverpool Hope - all with top graduate prospects 

Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included: 

• Political Science and Sociology 

• Social Anthropology 

• Politics and Sociology 

• Sociology and Criminology Study Abroad 

• Sociology and Film Studies 

Example entry requirements: 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents (please check):  

Brunel Sociology A,B,B-B,B,C 
Newcastle Politics & Sociology A,B,B 
Edge Hill Sociology B,C,C-B,B,C 

Why not try a foundation degree or higher apprenticeship? 
Canterbury Christ Church Sociology (Foundation) UCAS Points: 64 

Some examples of Sociology-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

• Anthropology and Visual Practice 

• Anthropology with a Year Abroad 

• Applied Social Sciences 

• Childhood and Youth: Theory and Practice 

• Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology 

• Criminology and Social Policy and Social Change 

• Economics and Sociology 

• Education, Culture and Society 

• English and Sociology 

• History and Sociology 

• Media and Sociology 

• Politics and Sociology 

• Politics and Social Anthropology 

• Politics and Social Policy with Year Abroad 

• Politics, Sexuality and Gender 

• Social Anthropology and Criminology 

• Social Anthropology and Development Studies 

• Social and Political Sciences 

• Social Policy and Social Change and Politics 

• Social Policy with Innovation 

• Social Policy, Sociology and Crime 

• Sociology with Study Abroad 

• Sociology with Psychology 

• Sociology with Year Abroad 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

The knowledge developed through studying Sociology can be useful in a variety of careers: 

• Social researcher 

• Actuarial analyst 

• Charity fundraiser 

• Housing manager/officer 

• Human resources officer 

• Life coach 

• Probation officer 

• Social Worker 

• Social Policy 

• Public relations officer 

Career Prospects 

Many sociology students go into jobs in social professions such as education, community and youth work, housing and social work. Sociology is a flexible subject and you can find students from the subject in pretty much every job such as finance, the media, sport, healthcare, marketing and even IT. Sociology graduates taking further study often branch out into other qualifications, like teaching, law, psychology and even maths, so don’t think sociology restricts you to just one set of options. 

Local Market Information 

More Children’s Social Workers Needed 

The Guardian reports on the struggle local authorities are having in recruiting children's social workers and the need to turn to agencies to fill the gap.  With almost 6,000 children's Social Worker vacancies across England in September last year, there is an urgent need to recruit permanent staff, both for economic and continuity reasons. 

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

• Community Caseworker 

• Social Worker Looked after Children 

• Youth worker 

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills studying Sociology that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Understanding different societies and analysing data, critical thinking, presentation skills, understanding different perspectives, discussion and presenting arguments & theories 

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

• Construction 

• Creative & Cultural 

• Digital (includes IT and Technology)  

• Engineering & Manufacturing 

• Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  

• Visitor & Hospitality  

• Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  

• Green Skills 

Degree choices that match the Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study include: 

• Applied Social Sciences 

• Childhood and Youth: Theory and Practice 

• Criminology and Social Policy and Social Change 

• Education, Culture and Society 

• Social Policy and Social Change and Politics 

Career choices that match the Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study include: 

• Social Policy consultant 

• Social Worker 

• Youth Worker 

• Probation Officer 

• Prison Officer 

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area.