Sociology 9699
Explore society, social institutions and inequality. Use sociological ideas, research methods and evidence to evaluate explanations.
What you'll cover
- Paper 1 · Socialisation and identity
- Paper 1 · Methods of research
- Paper 2 · The Family
- Paper 3 · Education
- Paper 3 · Education and inequality
- Paper 4 · Globalisation
Published syllabus exam years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Your route through Cambridge Sociology AS & A Level 9699
Version 3
35 of 35 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
This is a staged curriculum release for the Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology 9699 syllabus used in 2024–2026 (Version 3). Original lessons link all 35 syllabus sections across Papers 1–4—including Globalisation, Media and Religion—to explanations, worked examples and guided, independent and transfer practice. Topic content is mapped for AS and A Level; full exam preparation remains incomplete until timed papers and human marking are available. Detailed objective-level, evidence and assessment review remains in progress. The 2027–2028 and 2029–2031 syllabuses are published and are not mapped on this route. Practice is self-checked, not an official Cambridge grade; extended responses still need human subject-teacher review. Use evidence and examples appropriate to learners’ age, cultural context and school policy. Avoid stereotypes and do not ask learners to disclose personal experiences. Sociology presents theories for analysis rather than endorsing political positions.
This route maps the Version 3 syllabus for exams in 2024, 2025 and 2026. The 2027–2028 Version 2 and 2029–2031 syllabuses are published but are not mapped here. Cambridge lists June and November exams, plus a March series for schools in India; confirm entry with your centre.
Choose your paper route
- AS Level onlyPapers 1 and 2
Both AS papers now have linked topic teaching and staged self-check practice. Full timed paper practice and human marking are still pending.
- A Level, stagedPapers 1 and 2, then Papers 3 and 4
AS marks may be carried forward subject to Cambridge rules. All three Paper 4 areas have mapped teaching and self-check practice; choose any two for exam preparation.
- A Level, one seriesPapers 1, 2, 3 and 4
Candidates need all four components and at least two Paper 4 topic areas. All three Paper 4 areas have mapped topic teaching; full timed-paper marking remains pending.
AS candidates study Papers 1 and 2; both have mapped topic teaching and self-check practice, but full timed papers and human marking remain pending. A Level candidates also study Paper 3 and at least two of the three Paper 4 topic areas. Globalisation, Media and Religion are all mapped, so learners can choose any two Paper 4 areas for topic-level study; full timed-paper marking is pending.
View syllabus coverage
Paper 1 is 1 hour 30 minutes and 60 marks. Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes and 60 marks. Paper 3 is 1 hour 15 minutes and 50 marks. Paper 4 is 1 hour 45 minutes and 70 marks; candidates answer essays from two different topic areas. All 35 syllabus sections across Papers 1–4 have original teaching and staged self-check practice, including all three Paper 4 topic areas. Full timed papers and human marking remain pending, and no official Cambridge grades are awarded. Cambridge syllabus and update links are provided with the mapped lessons.
Paper 1 · Socialisation and identity
- The process of learning and socialisation1.1
- Social control, conformity and resistance1.2
- Social identity and change1.3
Paper 1 · Methods of research
- Types of data, methods and research design2.1
- Approaches to sociological research2.2
- Research issues2.3
Paper 2 · The Family
- Perspectives on the role of the family3.1
- Diversity and social change3.2
- Gender equality and experiences of family life4.1
- Age and family life4.2
Paper 3 · Education
- Theories about the role of education5.1
- Education and social mobility5.2
- Influences on the curriculum5.3
Paper 3 · Education and inequality
- Intelligence and educational attainment6.1
- Social class and educational attainment6.2
- Ethnicity and educational attainment6.3
- Gender and educational attainment6.4
Paper 4 · Globalisation
- Perspectives on globalisation7.1
- Globalisation and identity7.2
- Globalisation, power and politics7.3
- Globalisation, poverty and inequalities8.1
- Globalisation and migration8.2
- Globalisation and crime8.3
Paper 4 · Media
- Traditional media and the new media9.1
- Theories of the media and influences on media content9.2
- The impact of the new media9.3
- Media representations of class, gender, ethnicity and age groups10.1
- Different models of media effects10.2
- The impact of the media on behaviour10.3
Paper 4 · Religion
- Religion and society11.1
- Religion and social order11.2
- Religion as a source of social change11.3
- The secularisation debate12.1
- Gender, feminism and religion12.2
- Religion and post-modernity12.3
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- Socialisation, Identity and Methods of ResearchPaper 1 · 6 lessonsCulture, socialisation and learned behaviourStructure, social control, conformity and resistanceSocial identity, globalisation and changeResearch data, methods and designApproaches to sociological researchResearch issues, bias and evaluating evidence
1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 50% of AS / 25% of A Level. Three compulsory short-answer/application questions and one essay from a choice of two. The six Paper 1 sections have self-check practice; full timed exam practice and human marking are not provided.
- The FamilyPaper 2 · 4 lessonsFunctionalist, Marxist and feminist views of the familyFamily diversity, social change and policyGender equality, conjugal roles and family experienceAge, childhood and changing family relationships
1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 50% of AS / 25% of A Level. Three compulsory short-answer/application questions and one essay from a choice of two. All four syllabus sections have linked teaching and staged self-check practice; full timed papers and human marking remain pending.
- EducationPaper 3 · 7 lessonsTheories about the role of educationEducation, meritocracy and social mobilityKnowledge, curriculum and cultural reproductionIntelligence, IQ tests and educational attainmentSocial class and educational attainmentEthnicity and educational attainmentGender and educational attainment
1 hour 15 minutes · 50 marks · 21% of A Level. Four compulsory questions, including an essay. All seven syllabus sections have linked teaching and staged self-check practice; full timed papers and human marking remain pending.
- Globalisation, Media and ReligionPaper 4 · 18 lessonsDefining globalisation and comparing perspectivesGlobalisation, culture and identityGlobalisation, democracy and political powerGlobalisation, poverty and inequalityGlobal migration, labour and tourismGlobal crime, power and enforcementTraditional media, new media and ownershipMedia theories, news selection and censorshipNew media, globalisation and social lifeMedia representation, gender socialisation and moral panicsDirect and indirect models of media effectsMedia, violence, crime and behaviourDefining religion and measuring religiosityFunctionalist and Marxist theories of religionReligion as a source of social changeSecularisation, rationalisation and social significanceFeminism, patriarchy and religionPostmodern religion, new movements and fundamentalism
1 hour 45 minutes · 70 marks · 29% of A Level. Candidates study at least two of the three topic areas and answer two essays from different areas. All 18 sections across Globalisation, Media and Religion have linked teaching and staged self-check practice; full timed papers and human marking remain pending.
Lessons and worked examples
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- 01
Culture, socialisation and learned behaviour
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Not started - 02
Structure, social control, conformity and resistance
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Not started - 03
Social identity, globalisation and change
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Not started - 04
Research data, methods and design
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Not started - 05
Approaches to sociological research
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Not started - 06
Research issues, bias and evaluating evidence
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Not started - 07
Functionalist, Marxist and feminist views of the family
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Not started - 08
Family diversity, social change and policy
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Not started - 09
Gender equality, conjugal roles and family experience
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Not started - 10
Age, childhood and changing family relationships
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Not started - 11
Theories about the role of education
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Not started - 12
Education, meritocracy and social mobility
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Not started - 13
Knowledge, curriculum and cultural reproduction
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Not started - 14
Intelligence, IQ tests and educational attainment
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Not started - 15
Social class and educational attainment
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Not started - 16
Ethnicity and educational attainment
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Not started - 17
Gender and educational attainment
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Not started - 18
Defining globalisation and comparing perspectives
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Not started - 19
Globalisation, culture and identity
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Not started - 20
Globalisation, democracy and political power
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Not started - 21
Globalisation, poverty and inequality
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Not started - 22
Global migration, labour and tourism
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Not started - 23
Global crime, power and enforcement
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Not started - 24
Traditional media, new media and ownership
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Not started - 25
Media theories, news selection and censorship
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Not started - 26
New media, globalisation and social life
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Not started - 27
Media representation, gender socialisation and moral panics
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Not started - 28
Direct and indirect models of media effects
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Not started - 29
Media, violence, crime and behaviour
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Not started - 30
Defining religion and measuring religiosity
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Not started - 31
Functionalist and Marxist theories of religion
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Not started - 32
Religion as a source of social change
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Not started - 33
Secularisation, rationalisation and social significance
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Not started - 34
Feminism, patriarchy and religion
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Not started - 35
Postmodern religion, new movements and fundamentalism
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