Psychology or Sociology A Level?

I am choosing my A Levels in a few days and im just wondering about psychology and sociology a level. ive heard nots not a good idea to do both together as they contridict each other, but ive also heard that its okay to do them both together!
I have done sociology at gcse level and i am a top student in the subject, however i have taken a large interest in psychology and i know it may help towards a career in criminology/law as well as sociology does.

any past experience or any information would be much appreciated!

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Reply 1

dignity

They're both kinda similar in content and how they're viewed by universities. Find out what exam board your school is on and see which course you'd be more interested in.

Reply 2

a12

i did both at A levels, i found psychology more interesting but harder and sociology less difficult

Reply 3

super_dry

neither cause they are both ****

Reply 4

alice.eleanor.x

I found sociology much more interesting, ended up dropping psychology becuase it was so unbelieveably dull i couldn't bare to sit in the lesson.

Reply 5

emmie19

dignity

They're both kinda similar in content and how they're viewed by universities. Find out what exam board your school is on and see which course you'd be more interested in.

Noooo! Sociology's got the worst rep!

And NOT the same content; obviously one about society as a whole, and the other is about common characteristics of human beings...

Shame on you! :p:

Reply 6

zohaib01

pyschology is ace and really easy if you know your stuff and easy to revise do it !!!

Reply 7

Music Maestro

I took both of these subjects. I was most excited about doing psychology. I thought it would be so exciting!

But its a lot more maths and a lot more science than people expect. I ended up dropping it after my first term. I got bored of it because it was sooooo not what i expected. Its also incredibly difficult to pick up marks. The mark schemes tend to be very very vague with what they want from you.

I have had a really good time with sociology though :smile:

I found that being good at history helps with sociology. Its a thouroughly fun subject, especially with the right teachers :smile:

Its also very interesting because you can relate the work you cover to yourself and the world around you.

If your main question is whether to do them together or not, its fine. I found they dont particularly contradict eachother. You'll just notice the same sort of vocabulary in both subjects.

But, if it's either one or the other, I personally would advise sociology :smile:

Good luck! And i hope all goes well! :biggrin:

Reply 8

FutureMedic!

psychology is eassssyyyyy, but really dull and boring...

Reply 9

dignity

emmie19

Noooo! Sociology's got the worst rep!

And NOT the same content; obviously one about society as a whole, and the other is about common characteristics of human beings...

Shame on you! :p:

Please sit down.

First of all, sociology does not have the "worst rep". Subjects such as photography, home economics, leisure studies, media studies, business studies, art, science etc. are those with a poor reputation in the eyes of universities.

Sociology is viewed as 'softer' than the more traditional academic subjects, however it is on no university blacklists. Nor is Psychology, as far as I'm aware.

And lastly, psychology and sociology do overlap in content. An example is the study of Freud in AQA and Edexcel psychology and sociology modules where the exact same theories and concepts are studied.

Shame on you. Next time please do your research.

Reply 10

FrustratedHistorian

Done both alevels
do sociology if you want a easy high grade

Reply 11

ToryGirl

Loads of people I know did both. Although I never did psychology, I know people who did and they all agree that it was very boring and also very easy if you could be bothered to just remember loads of stuff. I enjoyed sociology, found it easy but kinda fun to argue about stuff. Although people say don't take it if you're applying for a good uni, I and many of my friends got into decent unis. Just make sure you get an A :biggrin:

Reply 12

braceface

dignity

OP, do whichever one you think you'd find more interesting. I don't think there's a problem with you studying both as they're both in some way relevant to the course you want to pursue at uni.

Reply 13

ghastlymistake

FrustratedHistorian

Done both alevels
do sociology if you want a easy high grade

So true.... thats why i'm doing it!

Reply 14

razorh

Sociology was the easiest subject I have ever done. Passed with a C at A-level (self study) by only reading the text book, missed a B by one UMS mark!
Have no clue about Psychology.

Take both

dignity

Environmental Science and Geography overlaps. Are they the same subject (since you don't realise... no). A overlap is found sometimes between many subjects, but the contect overall and aim of the subject is different. It's arrogant to view them as the same as a result. Unis don't, when asking for specific subjects...

I don't have to do research... It's common sense (it explains the name difference anyway :p:

)

Reply 17

krystle24

I loved studying for Psychology during A2. lol. The lectures were abit boring sometimes but i loved reading the case studies! Okay, maybe I'm weird since I enjoy Biology as well. And maybe Chemistry sometimes.

Reply 18

Retrospect

I did very well at Sociology GCSE, too, but decided to give it up after GCSE because I just found it incredibly dull near the end. :p:

I have just completed Psychology A-Level. It's up to you in the end but it's good to take up an entirely new subject s/a Psychology. I wouldn't take them both together just because I'd say it would be good to do something entirely different, or requiring different skills.

What other subjects are you interested in taking?

Reply 19

smars

i don't understand why everyone's saying that psychology's so boring! im doing it for AS and i absolutely love it, i can't wait to do it at uni..
i wish i had done sociology instead of history but i heard there's quite a lot to know