WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology specification (C200)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology (C200) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official WJEC Eduqas specification PDF.
Specification overview
The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Sociology develops learners’ understanding of the social world through critical engagement with contemporary social issues. The course explores how social structures influence individuals and groups within UK and global contexts. Learners study the transmission of culture, identity, social stratification, and crime, building awareness of power dynamics, inequality, and the role of social institutions. The course equips students with analytical skills, research methods knowledge, and the ability to interpret and evaluate evidence, encouraging them to question assumptions and make informed arguments about the society in which they live.
Subject content breakdown
1. Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission
- Culture, norms, values, roles, status, identity, sanctions
- Nature vs nurture; feral children; cultural diversity
- Socialisation and agents: family, education, media, peers
- Informal and formal social control
2. Families
- Definitions and diverse forms: nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone parent, same-sex, global forms
- Social change and structure: secularisation, laws, feminism, technology
- Family relationships: conjugal roles, domestic division, child-rearing, “New Man,” boomerang children
- Theories: Functionalism (Parsons), Marxism (Zaretsky), Feminism (Delphy & Leonard, Oakley), New Right
- Criticisms: dysfunctional families, domestic violence, declining traditional roles
3. Education
- Theories: Functionalism (Durkheim, Parsons), Marxism (Bowles & Gintis), Feminism (Francis)
- Processes: labelling (Hargreaves), streaming, subcultures (Willis), hidden curriculum, teacher expectations (Ball)
- Achievement: class (Halsey, Ball), ethnicity (cultural/material factors), gender (feminism, crisis of masculinity)
4. Sociological research methods
- Data types: primary/secondary; qualitative/quantitative; usefulness and sources
- Methods: questionnaires, interviews, observations; strengths and weaknesses (validity, ethics, representativeness)
- Sampling: representative/non-representative
- Practical/ethical issues: access, cost, consent, harm, deception
5. Social differentiation and stratification
- Theories: Functionalism (Davis & Moore), Marxism, Weberian (class/status/party), Feminism
- Power and authority: formal/informal; Weber’s traditional, charismatic, rational-legal types
- Inequality by class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexuality—across education, work, media, etc.
- Life chances: social construction, discrimination, media, legislation, patriarchy (Walby), old boys’ network
6. Crime and deviance
- Definitions and construction: historical/cultural variations
- Social control: informal/formal agents, sanctions
- Patterns: class, gender, age, ethnicity
- Theories: Functionalism (Merton), Subcultural (Cohen), Marxism (Chambliss), Interactionism (Becker), Feminism (Heidensohn, Carlen)
- Crime data: official, victim/self-report studies; dark figure, bias, moral panics
7. Applied methods of sociological enquiry
- Research design: aim/hypothesis, methods, pilot, sampling, analysis, mixed methods
- Data interpretation: trends in charts, graphs, diagrams
Assessment structure
Component 1: Understanding Social Processes
- Topics: Cultural transmission, Families, Education, Sociological research methods
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 50% of qualification
- All questions compulsory; includes short, structured and extended-response questions
- Assesses ability to draw together knowledge and skills across topics
Component 2: Understanding Social Structures
- Topics: Social stratification, Crime and deviance, Applied methods of enquiry
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 50% of qualification
- All questions compulsory; includes short, structured and extended-response questions
- Reinforces and applies research methods from Component 1
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Knowledge and understanding – 40%
- AO2: Application – 40%
- AO3: Analysis and evaluation – 20%
- At least 15% of marks assess research methods across both papers
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article