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AQA GCSE · Specification 8192
Online GCSE Sociology Course
Explore families, education, crime, inequality, power and the research methods sociologists use to study society. This flexible home-study course develops the knowledge, critical thinking and evidence-based argument needed for both AQA examination papers.
Immediate access to the online course
Six modules and 18 structured lessons
Optional tutor marking, tutorials and printed materials
Start your Sociology course
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Course overview
Understand how society shapes people’s lives
Study the institutions, relationships and inequalities that shape contemporary society. The course examines competing sociological explanations and teaches students to use evidence, analyse research and question everyday assumptions about the social world.
Qualification
AQA GCSE Sociology
GCSE Sociology specification 8192, graded on the 9–1 scale.
Course structure
6 modules · 18 lessons
Study families, education, crime, stratification and sociological research methods.
Recommended study time
Approximately 200 hours
Work through the course at a pace that suits your timetable and intended examination date.
Enrolment
Start at any time
There is no fixed term date, so you can begin when it suits your study plans.
Assignments
7 Tutor-marked Assignments
Examination-style assignments test knowledge, application, evidence and sociological argument.
Assessment
2 written papers
Each paper lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and contributes 50% of the final qualification.
Core perspectives
Different views of society
Compare functionalist, feminist, Marxist and interactionist explanations of social structures and processes.
Entry and grading
Untiered · grades 9–1
All candidates sit the same examination papers and can access the full range of grades.
Sociology challenges everyday assumptions
Students learn to look beyond common-sense explanations and ask how social class, gender, ethnicity, age, power and institutions affect people’s experiences and opportunities.
Contemporary examples strengthen your answers
News, social debates and observations of everyday life can provide useful examples of sociological concepts. Students should consider the viewpoint behind each source and ask whether the evidence supports alternative interpretations.
Research methods are studied throughout
Students learn how sociologists design research, gather qualitative and quantitative evidence, interpret data and address practical and ethical problems. These skills are relevant across every topic area.
How the course works
Connect sociological ideas with evidence and debate
Begin with the sociological approach and an introduction to research methods. Later modules apply sociological theories, concepts and evidence to families, education, crime, inequality and power.
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Enrol and start online
Receive immediate access to your online Sociology course and begin studying without waiting for a fixed term date.
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Study theories and social evidence
Work through structured lessons covering major sociological perspectives, key concepts, research findings and contemporary social issues.
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Compare and evaluate explanations
Use activities and examination-style questions to compare perspectives, analyse evidence and construct reasoned sociological arguments.
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Prepare for both examination papers
Revise the four main topic areas, practise research-methods questions and complete both practice papers under timed conditions.
Optional extra support
Add tutor support when it would help
Assignment marking, practice-paper marking, Email Tutor Support and one-to-one tutorials can be added when you need feedback on sociological arguments, evidence, evaluation or examination technique.
What you’ll study
Six modules examining society and social inequality
The 18 lessons introduce sociological theories and research methods before applying them to families, education, crime, social class, poverty, power and other forms of inequality.
Module 1 The Sociological Approach Social structures, processes and issues, major sociological perspectives and an introduction to research methods. 2 lessons
- The Sociological Approach: Social Structures, Social Processes and Social Issues
- Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology
Module 2 The Family Family functions and forms, domestic relationships, changing families, criticism and divorce. 3 lessons
- Family Functions and Forms
- Conjugal and Family Relationships
- Criticisms of Families and Divorce
Tutor-marked Assignment A
Tutor-marked Assignment B
Module 3 Education The purposes of education, its relationship with capitalism, educational achievement and processes within schools. 3 lessons
- The Roles and Functions of Education
- Education: Capitalism and Achievement
- Processes within Schools
Tutor-marked Assignment C
Tutor-marked Assignment D
Module 4 Crime and Deviance Social control, the construction of crime, explanations of offending and the strengths and limitations of crime data. 3 lessons
- Social Control
- The Social Construction of Crime and Deviance
- Criminal and Deviant Behaviour; Data on Crime
Tutor-marked Assignment E
Module 5 Stratification Social class, life chances, poverty, inequality, power, authority and relationships. 5 lessons
- Theories of Stratification
- Socio-Economic Class and Life Chances
- Poverty as a Social Issue
- The Causes of Poverty
- Power: Authority and Relationships
Tutor-marked Assignment F
Tutor-marked Assignment G
Module 6 Sociological Research Methods Research theory and design, qualitative and quantitative evidence, data interpretation and ethics. 2 lessons
- Theory and Design
- Interpreting Data and Ethics
Practice Examination — Paper 1
Practice Examination — Paper 2
Sociology topics are closely connected
Ideas about socialisation, power, class, gender and inequality recur throughout the course. Complete the modules in order so that you can recognise these connections and apply concepts from one topic to another.
Research methods are assessed in the context of families, education, crime and stratification, so they should be revised throughout the course rather than treated as a separate topic.
Exams and assessment
How AQA GCSE Sociology is assessed
AQA GCSE Sociology is assessed through two written papers. Both papers include multiple-choice questions, shorter responses and extended answers requiring evidence, analysis and sociological evaluation.
Paper 1
Families and Education
1 hour 45 minutes
Exam duration
100 marks
Available marks
50%
Of the qualification
Paper 1 assesses the sociology of families and education, together with relevant social theory and research methodology. Both sections contain multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-response questions.
Paper 2
Crime and Social Stratification
1 hour 45 minutes
Exam duration
100 marks
Available marks
50%
Of the qualification
Paper 2 assesses crime and deviance and social stratification, together with relevant social theory and research methodology. Both sections contain multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-response questions.
Entry tier
Untiered examination
All candidates sit the same two examination papers and can access grades from 9 to 1.
Coursework
No coursework component
The final qualification is assessed entirely through the two written examination papers.
Research methods
Assessed within both papers
Students must understand research design, sampling, qualitative and quantitative methods, data sources, practical issues and ethics.
Assessment objectives
Knowledge, application and evaluation
AO1 contributes 40%, AO2 contributes 40% and AO3 contributes 20% of the qualification.
Examination entry
You arrange your examination centre separately
Course enrolment does not automatically enter you for the examinations. Private candidates should locate an AQA-registered centre willing to accept them and confirm its entry arrangements, fees and deadlines.
Contact prospective centres well in advance, as not every school or college accepts private candidates for every subject.
Support and add-ons
Choose the level of Sociology support you need
Your subscription provides the structured online course. Optional add-ons let you purchase written feedback, direct tutor contact, live explanations and printed materials when they would help.
Written feedback
Assignment marking
Purchase marking for individual tutor-marked assignments and receive feedback on sociological knowledge, application, evidence, analysis, evaluation and extended writing.
Assignment marking bundle£71.93
Exam preparation
Practice-exam marking
Complete full examination-style papers under timed conditions and purchase marking to identify strengths, gaps and priorities for final revision.
Practice examination marking bundle£47.50
Written tutor contact
Email Tutor Support
Ask focused questions about sociological theories, research methods, evidence, evaluation or course activities through the managed Email Tutor Support service.
Email Tutor Support£10.00 / month
Live support
One-to-one tutorials
Book a live tutorial for personalised explanation, help with extended responses, research methods or focused examination preparation.
Tutorial time Purchased separately
Study your way
Printed course materials
Add printed Oxford Home Schooling course materials if you prefer annotating theories, evidence, case studies and essay plans on paper.
Printed course materials£50.00
Flexible support
Add support when you need it
Begin with the core course and add marking, tutor contact, tutorials or printed materials as your Sociology studies progress.
Course support
See all available Sociology support
Prospective students can compare the available support services. Existing students can purchase Sociology marking, tutorials and other course-specific add-ons through their account.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the GCSE Sociology course
Find answers about previous experience, sociological theories, research methods, examinations, assignments and recommended reading.
Do I need to have studied Sociology before?
No previous knowledge is required. The first module introduces the sociological approach, the main perspectives and the methods sociologists use to study society.
Which topics will I study?
The principal topics are families, education, crime and deviance, and social stratification. Sociological theory and research methods are studied across all four areas.
Do I need to learn different sociological perspectives?
Yes. Students compare perspectives including functionalism, feminism, Marxism and interactionism. These approaches often provide competing explanations of the same social institution or issue.
Do I need to remember named sociologists?
You need to understand the key ideas associated with specified classical and contemporary sociologists and be able to apply those ideas to the relevant topic.
Detailed biographical knowledge is not required, but you should recognise how particular sociologists explain society and how their arguments can be evaluated.
How many examinations are there?
There are two written papers. Each lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, carries 100 marks and contributes 50% of the final GCSE.
Is GCSE Sociology tiered?
No. AQA GCSE Sociology is untiered, so all candidates sit the same two examination papers.
Is there any coursework?
No. There is no coursework component. Research skills and methodological understanding are tested through questions in the written examinations.
Will I carry out sociological research?
Small-scale research activities can help you understand the practical difficulties sociologists face. The course covers questionnaires, interviews, observations, sampling, research design and the interpretation of data.
Any research activity should respect consent, confidentiality and the need to avoid harm to participants.
Does Sociology involve data and statistics?
Students must be able to interpret evidence presented in graphs, tables, diagrams and charts and identify patterns or trends in social data.
The emphasis is on understanding and evaluating evidence rather than advanced mathematical calculation.
Do I need to buy a textbook?
No separate textbook is compulsory because the essential course material is included in the lessons.
Additional reading is strongly recommended, however, as it can provide more examples, alternative explanations and useful examination practice.
How are Tutor-marked Assignments used?
The course contains seven Tutor-marked Assignments. They should be treated as miniature examination papers and marking can be purchased when you want detailed feedback on your arguments and examination technique.
What can I study after GCSE Sociology?
The course provides useful preparation for A-level Sociology and other subjects involving society, politics, research, education, inequality or public policy.
Students should check the entry requirements of their intended sixth-form or course provider.
Course materials
Optional Sociology textbooks and wider reading
All essential material is contained within the Oxford Home Schooling course. Additional reading is nevertheless strongly recommended because it provides contemporary examples, alternative explanations and extra examination practice.
No compulsory textbook
The Oxford Home Schooling lessons contain the essential content required for the course. Students can therefore begin without purchasing a separate Sociology textbook.
Recommended AQA Sociology textbook
The course strongly recommends AQA GCSE Sociology (9–1) by David Bown, published by Hodder in 2019.
ISBN: 9781510470286
This book provides additional coverage of the course topics, revision support and examination-style questions.
Alternative AQA student book
A suitable alternative is GCSE Sociology 9–1: AQA GCSE Sociology Student Book by Pauline Wilson, Simon Addison and Allan Kidd, published by Collins.
ISBN: 9780008220143
Further reading is optional
Students wanting more depth may consult suitable Sociology revision guides or broader introductory texts. Wider books should support the AQA specification rather than replace the course lessons.
Use contemporary sources critically
Newspapers, magazines, documentaries, broadcasts and reliable online sources can provide valuable current examples. Consider who produced each source, the perspective being presented and whether the same evidence could be interpreted differently.
Regular internet access is recommended
Internet access supports research into contemporary social issues and provides additional examples of the topics covered. Students should check that sources are reliable and relevant to the AQA specification.
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Start your online GCSE Sociology course
Enrol at any time and begin working towards the AQA GCSE Sociology qualification through a structured, flexible home-study course.
- Start studying at any time
- Immediate access to the online course
- Develop critical thinking and evidence-based argument
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