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OxfordAQA · A Level

OxfordAQA A Level Sociology

Sociology for OxfordAQA A Level (syllabus 9690) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
9690
Board
OxfordAQA
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
OxfordAQA A Level Sociology
Spec code
9690
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official OxfordAQA specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official OxfordAQA specification on 2026-08-18.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Sociology (9690)

A relevant, engaging specification with culturally relevant, contemporary topics – designed for international students to develop their critical thinking skills and prepare them for university study. — OxfordAQA, official syllabus page

AS units cover families and socialisation/social control alongside research methods; A2 adds people and development, people and the environment, and people and technologies. This is a newly launched specification: first teaching September 2026, first AS exams May/June 2027, first A-level exams May/June 2028.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the OxfordAQA syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

9690 is an upcoming specification . First assessment: 2028. It is not yet the specification current students should follow.

Modular qualification

Assessment components for OxfordAQA Sociology 9690
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
AS Unit 1: AS Unit 1 -- Families; Research Methods 1h 45m 60 20% Written exam
AS Unit 2: AS Unit 2 -- Socialisation and Social Control; Research Methods 1h 45m 60 20% Written exam
A-level Unit 3: A-level Unit 3 -- People and Development 1h 30m 50 20% Written exam
A-level Unit 4: A-level Unit 4 -- People and the Environment 1h 30m 50 20% Written exam
A-level Unit 5: A-level Unit 5 -- People and Technologies 1h 30m 50 20% Written exam

Source: official OxfordAQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official live "Assessment" section of a brand-new specification (page titled "NEW: International AS and A-level Sociology (9690)"), stating "For first teaching from September 2026, with first AS exams from May/June 2027 and first A-level exams from May/June 2028." Five equally weighted units (20% of A-level each). specStatus is 'future' for the same reason as the IGCSE Sociology 9292 record: teaching has not yet begun as of this record's verification date, and there is no prior OxfordAQA A-level Sociology specification this succeeds.

Assessment FAQs

How is OxfordAQA Sociology (9690) assessed?

OxfordAQA Sociology (9690) is assessed through: AS Unit 1 (AS Unit 1 -- Families; Research Methods) — 1h 45m, 60 marks, 20% of the qualification; AS Unit 2 (AS Unit 2 -- Socialisation and Social Control; Research Methods) — 1h 45m, 60 marks, 20% of the qualification; A-level Unit 3 (A-level Unit 3 -- People and Development) — 1h 30m, 50 marks, 20% of the qualification; A-level Unit 4 (A-level Unit 4 -- People and the Environment) — 1h 30m, 50 marks, 20% of the qualification; A-level Unit 5 (A-level Unit 5 -- People and Technologies) — 1h 30m, 50 marks, 20% of the qualification. It is a modular qualification. Source: official OxfordAQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. 9690 is an upcoming specification, first assessment 2028 -- it is not yet the specification current students should follow.

The subject

Sociology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Sociology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 5 topics below are the official subject content of OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Sociology (9690), for the new qualification examination series, reproduced from the OxfordAQA syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 5 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Unit 1 – Introducing Sociology

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Families · Research Methods

  2. AS 2 Unit 2 – Exploring Sociology

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Socialisation and Social Control · Research Methods and Theory

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 3 Unit 3 – People and Development

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  2. A 4 Unit 4 – People and the Environment

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  3. A 5 Unit 5 – People and Technology

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: OxfordAQA — International A-level Sociology switching guide (official comparison document; standalone specification PDF not separately located) — new qualification series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Sociology at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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