Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Sociology specification (0495)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE 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.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE 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 Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Sociology (0495) 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 Cambridge (CIE) specification PDF.
Specification overview
Cambridge IGCSE Sociology develops learners’ understanding of social structures, relationships and processes within human societies. The course encourages critical awareness of social issues and fosters the ability to analyse human behaviour across cultures and over time. Learners engage with sociological methods, concepts and theories, learning to apply them to contemporary life. The syllabus promotes independent thinking, evidence-based reasoning and appreciation of diversity, helping students understand the role of individuals in shaping and being shaped by society.
Subject content breakdown
1. Theory and methods
- Different sociological perspectives: functionalist, Marxist, feminist, structuralist, interpretivist
- Research methods: surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, content analysis, triangulation
- Sampling, pilot studies, ethical issues, reliability, validity, bias, generalisability
- Primary vs secondary data, quantitative vs qualitative data, use of statistics and documents
2. Culture, identity and socialisation
- Norms, values, roles, status, beliefs as social constructions
- Primary and secondary socialisation; agencies like family, media, education
- Social control (formal/informal), conformity, peer pressure, sanctions
- Diversity, globalisation, cultural relativism, youth subcultures
- Nature vs nurture debate
3. Social inequality
- Social stratification: class, gender, age, ethnicity
- Life chances, social mobility, open/closed societies, meritocracy
- Poverty and wealth: causes, impact, state welfare
- Discrimination and prejudice in employment, housing, education
- Gender roles, changing class structures, institutional racism
4. Family
- Family types: nuclear, extended, single-parent, stepfamilies, cohabitation
- Marriage, divorce, alternatives to marriage, demographic change
- Conjugal roles, patriarchy, gender equality, family functions
- Domestic violence, abuse, generational roles, ageing population
5. Education
- Formal and informal education; curriculum and hidden curriculum
- Socialisation, conformity, role of education in social mobility
- Differences in achievement by gender, class, ethnicity
- Peer groups, labelling, streaming, school types
6. Crime, deviance and social control
- Definitions of crime/deviance; relativity across time and societies
- Social control: police, courts, media, religion
- Crime patterns by age, gender, class, ethnicity
- Measuring crime: statistics, victim surveys, self-report studies
- Explanations: labelling, Marxism, functionalism, subcultures, deprivation
7. Media
- Media forms: traditional, digital, social media
- Ownership, control, censorship, media pluralism and Marxism
- Representation of gender, ethnicity, age, class
- Media influence: stereotyping, moral panic, audience theories (hypodermic, uses and gratifications)
- Globalisation, convergence, digital divide, new media
Assessment structure
Paper 1
- 2 hours (including 15 minutes’ reading time), 80 marks
- Section A: Compulsory data response question (45 marks) based on Unit 1 (Theory and methods)
- Section B or C: One structured question (35 marks) based on Unit 2 (Culture, identity and socialisation) or Unit 3 (Social inequality)
- Questions include source interpretation and analysis
- 54% of the qualification
Paper 2
- 1 hour 45 minutes (including 15 minutes’ reading time), 70 marks
- Answer two structured questions from four options (35 marks each)
- Covers Units 4 (Family), 5 (Education), 6 (Crime and deviance), and 7 (Media)
- Stimulus-based questions; may draw on Unit 1
46% of the qualification
- Both papers are externally assessed
- All candidates take both papers
- Grades awarded: A*–G
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE 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.
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