Sociology
Cambridge Upper Secondary
Why Study Cambridge IGCSE Sociology?
Through our Cambridge IGCSE Sociology syllabus, learners explore aspects of social relationships, processes and structures and develop a greater understanding of human societies and the role of continuity and change in social life.
The syllabus:
- develops learners’ critical evaluation of different social, economic and political structures
- builds understanding of sociological research methods
- develops learners’ ability to assess different forms of information and evidence
- can be related to schools’ local context, enabling learners to use the knowledge and understanding acquired to analyse their own lives. (Cambridge Assessment International Education, n.d.)
Key concepts covered in the course
- Sociological perspectives (Functionalist, Marxist, feminist)
- Research methods (surveys, interviews, observations)
- Data analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
- Relationship between individual and society
- Socialisation processes (primary and secondary)
- Role of institutions (family, education, media)
- Social stratification (class, age, ethnicity, gender)
- Causes and effects of inequality
- Social mobility
- Types of families (nuclear, extended, single-parent)
- Changing family roles
- Impact of demographic trends
- Functions of education
- Factors affecting educational achievement (gender, ethnicity, social class)
- Hidden curriculum
- Definitions and theories of crime and deviance
- Patterns of crime
- Role of law enforcement and media
- Media ownership and control
- Influence of media on society
- Media representations and bias
Prior requirements and hours of study
Cambridge IGCSE Sociology requires about 130 hours of study. The number of hours needed may vary depending on your previous experience of the subject.
We do not expect learners starting this course to have previously studied Sociology.
IGCSE SOCIOLOGY
Examinations
Students studying Cambridge IGCSE Sociology take two papers in a single examination series.
| Paper 1 | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 2 hours | 54% |
| Paper 2 | Duration | Weighting |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour 45 minutes | 46% |
Examination Entry
All students who complete the appropriate courses at Cambridge Online Academy are eligible to sit exams like the International GCSEs or A/AS Levels through Cambridge International. But while students can do all of their learning online at home, we cannot administer exams online. To sit exams, students must travel in person to one of 10,000 Cambridge International Exam Centres located in 160 countries around the globe.
But we’re here to help. We’ll provide you with all the necessary exam codes you need to present to the exam centre, and any other pertinent information you need to know to get your child signed up correctly. Also, as part of the initial information, we provide during the pre-enrolment process, you’ll receive contact information for all the Cambridge International Exam Centres in your area. Once you’ve ensured that the exam centre of your choice offers the specific exam level your child needs, the exam centre will arrange accommodations for your child and give you detailed information on obtaining the results.
Course Fee
The fee for Cambridge International GCSE Sociology can be paid in monthly or termly instalments.
For more information about Fees and Discounts, please click here.
For more information about Cambridge IGCSE Sociology, please click here.
Sociology
Cambridge Advanced
Why Study Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology?
In a rapidly changing world, Cambridge International AS and A Level Sociology offers learners the opportunity not only to explore the processes that are shaping current trends, but also to develop an understanding of the complexity and diversity of human societies and their continuities with the past.
The study of sociology stimulates awareness of contemporary social, cultural and political issues, and focuses on the importance of examining these issues in a rigorous, reasoned and analytical way. (Cambridge Assessment International Education, n.d.)
Key concepts covered in the course
- Influence of inequality on opportunities and life choices
- Forms of inequality: age, ethnicity, gender, class
- Theories on who holds power and its usage
- Mechanisms of social order and control
- Ways people resist power
- Transition from traditional to modern industrial society
- Modernity and post-modernity
- Impact of globalisation and digital revolution
- Learning expected behaviours through socialisation
- Cultural variations in norms and values
- Study of social identities
- Debate on individual behaviour vs. social forces
- Structural theories vs. action theories
- Role of education in social order and economic reproduction
- Relationship between education and social mobility
- Theories about the role of education: functionalist, Marxist, New Right, social democratic
- Perspectives on globalisation: cultural, political, economic
- Impact on identity, power, and politics
- Global social movements and nation-state roles
- Transformation of media: traditional vs. new media
- Ownership, control, and media content influences
- Media effects on behaviour and society
- Role of religion in social order and social change
- Secularisation and modernity
- Gender, feminism, and religion
- New religious movements and fundamentalism
Prior requirements and hours of study
Cambridge International AS Level Sociology requires about 180 hours of study, and Cambridge International A Level Sociology requires about 360 hours of study. These figures are for guidance only. The number of hours needed may vary depending on your previous experience of the subject.
We recommend that students who are beginning this course should have previously completed a Cambridge International GCSE course in Sociology.
It is also necessary that all A-Level students have IGCSE English Language or the equivalent at Grade C/4 or above.
AS & A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY
Examinations
Students studying AS Level Sociology only take two papers out of four in a single examination series.
Students studying A Level Sociology take all four papers.
| Paper 1 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50% | 25% |
| Paper 2 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50% | 25% |
| Paper 3 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Paper 3 | 1 hour 15 minutes | - | 20% |
| Paper 4 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Paper 4 | 1 hour 45 minutes | - | 30% |
Examination Entry
All students who complete the appropriate courses at Cambridge Online Academy are eligible to sit exams like the International GCSEs or A/AS Levels through Cambridge International. But while students can do all of their learning online at home, we cannot administer exams online. To sit exams, students must travel in person to one of 10,000 Cambridge International Exam Centres located in 160 countries around the globe.
But we’re here to help. We’ll provide you with all the necessary exam codes you need to present to the exam centre, and any other pertinent information you need to know to get your child signed up correctly.
Also, as part of the initial information, we provide during the pre-enrolment process, you’ll receive contact information for all the Cambridge International Exam Centres in your area. Once you’ve ensured that the exam centre of your choice offers the specific exam level your child needs, the exam centre will arrange accommodations for your child and give you detailed information on obtaining the results.
Course Fee
The fee for Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology can be paid in monthly or termly instalments.
For more information about Fees and Discounts, please click here.
For more information about Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology, please click here.