The Student Room Group

Trouble finding a Sociology A level centre for my options

I’m in a gap year because I decided to change the degree I want to do to one that prefers an essay subject and am trying to Sociology A level to facilitate it. As i’d like to take the exam in a year i’ve chosen topics I already have an interest in (Family and Global Development) so i’ll get the content quicker/already know it. But i’ve come across the problem of finding an exam centre that actually does that combination. I’ve heard that Family and Beliefs are the most common choices and therefore most centres only offer that but i have very base level knowledge of religion and am really not that interested. Overall it feels like a lot of content to have to learn in a short amount of time.

Does anyone know any centres (preferably in London or nearby) that can do that combination or am I gonna have to suck it up and just do Beliefs? Or maybe anyone knows some other combinations that centres do?

Reply 1

Sorry you've not had any responses about this. :frown: Are you sure you've posted in the right place? :smile: Here's a link to our subject forum which should help get you more responses if you post there. :redface:

Reply 2

Original post
by acting-earthquak
I’m in a gap year because I decided to change the degree I want to do to one that prefers an essay subject and am trying to Sociology A level to facilitate it. As i’d like to take the exam in a year i’ve chosen topics I already have an interest in (Family and Global Development) so i’ll get the content quicker/already know it. But i’ve come across the problem of finding an exam centre that actually does that combination. I’ve heard that Family and Beliefs are the most common choices and therefore most centres only offer that but i have very base level knowledge of religion and am really not that interested. Overall it feels like a lot of content to have to learn in a short amount of time.
Does anyone know any centres (preferably in London or nearby) that can do that combination or am I gonna have to suck it up and just do Beliefs? Or maybe anyone knows some other combinations that centres do?

I dont, sorry

Best to contact local schools and colleges.

Reply 3

Hi, what do you mean by centres? Actual exam centres or schools/ colleges?

Reply 4

Original post
by PrettyMaryKay
Hi, what do you mean by centres? Actual exam centres or schools/ colleges?

just exams centres to sit the exam, although I know some schools accept private candidates as well

Reply 5

Original post
by acting-earthquak
just exams centres to sit the exam, although I know some schools accept private candidates as well

I sat sociology privately this year (in London), and I don't think it works the way you necessarily think it does. Basically, for paper 2, you're given a question booklet that contains ALL topics - you just have to answer the topics that you did on a separate answer booklet. E.g. each topic will have different question numbers, so the examiner will know which topic you did based on the question number you put in the margin (I also put a subheading at the top anyway e..g I wrote 'families and households/ topic b' or something).

Maybe have a look at a past paper 2, and you'll see what I mean
(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 6

Original post
by PrettyMaryKay
I sat sociology privately this year (in London), and I don't think it works the way you necessarily think it does. Basically, for paper 2, you're given a question booklet that contains ALL topics - you just have to answer the topics that you did on a separate answer booklet. E.g. each topic will have different question numbers, so the examiner will know which topic you did based on the question number you put in the margin (I also put a subheading at the top anyway e..g I wrote 'families and households/ topic b' or something).
Maybe have a look at a past paper 2, and you'll see what I mean

Ahh you’re right! I think I got confused by all the schools saying they only did certain topics but they meant in terms of teaching. For some reason I thought it would be different topics papers entirely like physics. Thanks

Reply 7

Original post
by acting-earthquak
Ahh you’re right! I think I got confused by all the schools saying they only did certain topics but they meant in terms of teaching. For some reason I thought it would be different topics papers entirely like physics. Thanks

Yeah, it's a bit confusing 🙈. Glad you figured it out ☺️

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.