Sociology provides an academic perspective on society, delving deep into areas of social life that most people take for granted.
In an intellectual environment that is at once dynamic, interactive and supportive, Sociology lessons explore what unites people in society, as well as the divisions and prejudices that surround us. Issues of wealth and poverty, crime, sexism and racism run through the course, while areas such as education and families & households are examined in depth.
Offered as a Sixth Form subject at AS and A-level, Sociology is taught in small groups; all students contribute to discussion and debate, and open-mindedness and tolerance of the views of others are essential.
We hope that our sixth-formers will finish the course with an excellent understanding of group dynamics and diverse perspectives – an understanding that will prove invaluable, no matter what their future plans. They will also be very able to construct and dissect persuasive arguments and to collect, manage and analyse complex forms of data, while communicating effectively through written and oral presentation. We use technology extensively to deliver the taught syllabus.
The study of Sociology will thus be useful for any degree course, including Law and Medicine, and indeed for any modern, high-level career. Extensive support and guidance is offered to pupils applying to read Sociology at university, with additional help available to those applying for Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Cambridge, in the form of mock interviews and extended reading.
Every QE sociologist has the opportunity to attend Sociology conferences, which are usually run specifically for A-level students by specialist providers.
