Does sociology have a better reputation than it used to?

[Echobelly]

DC is looking at A-level choices, definitely doing music and psychology, not sure if 3rd might be sociology, politics or history. They want to study psychology or psychology and a related discipline at uni. DH is worried sociology will look a bit 'Mickey mouse' for good universities, but I don't think it quite has that reputation any more as it did when it was a fairly new subject. DC will be looking at Russell Group universities and possibly for choral scholarship at Oxford, expected to get GCSE and A-level grades representative of that goal. Any thoughts?

My niece was thinking about this, so I just had a Google, and this came up. It 10 years out of date, but seems like it’s worth some further digging

cfey.org/2013/09/what-a-level-subjects-do-russell-group-universities-prefer/

My DD did A levels in media studies, photography and sociology and went to a RG university.

My dd's planning on doing sociology. It's listed as a suitable subject for the degree she's interested in doing on every single university website we've looked at. Including Oxford.

Thanks, sounds like looking at suitable subjects for degrees will help - mainly I want to assuage DH's concerns, I think it's OK. I think ultimately it's more important that DC does subjects they enjoy and can be really into than having a more 'diverse' A-level set. DH feels that music, psychology, sociology 'Only tells ones story' although I don't think it does. DC considered biology to be more 'sciencey' but at the end of the day they just don't like studying science. Cambridge psychology is a more science-based course and expects a science A-level apparently, but Oxford is more of a humanities course, which is why they are looking there rather than Cambridge.

Definitely worth looking at the entry requirements for possible degree choices and working backwards from there. She should do subjects she enjoys but you also don't want to close the door for possible degree courses.

Maths would be useful, it would help enormously with the statistical modules.

I was talked out of it for this reason. I did physics instead and deeply regret this decision. I think my grade in sociology would have been much higher than in physics and the study much more enjoyable.
I would say 100% go for it.

@Echobelly I doubt those three will make her competitive for Oxford. Oxford Psychology is within the Medical Sciences division and they really do value a science background. The best A levels are probably Biology, Maths and Psychology or Chemistry. She’s way off with her choices. Also don’t forget there are clues in the words “medical” and “sciences”. Many other very decent unis are available who won’t be as choosy but Oxford can afford to be. Read between the lines for suitability of subjects. Maths and Biology would be best prep anywhere. Bath has great info on best subjects too. Lower down the league tables subjects are less critical.

DD got a choral scholarship at Oxford - no music A level.

I think sociology is a pretty well respected A level these days (my DD1 took it) but as PP have said, it's a humanity not a science, which may not be the best preparation for psychology.

Fascinating reading @theduchessofspork!
OP I think there's quite a bit of similarities between psychology and sociology. As it happens my DD is applying for a Sociology degree at places like Durham and Bath, and Human, Social snd Political Science at Cambridge, and has Psychology/History/Art A levels (Sociology was not an option, plus she wasn't thinking of a Sociology degree back then). For Cambridge History is one of the most common A level subject for this course, followed by English or a language. Psychology and sociology are both on their 'preferred' subjects list, not surprisingly. For Psychology snd Behavioural Science (as they have it), Biology or Mathematics is expected, and most applicants have Psychology; and the requirements seem similar at Oxford, with Maths recommended and a science - though Psychology would cover that.
So sociology in itself is fine, but I just wonder if that coupled with psychology aren't too similar and whether an essay based subject (or if Oxbridge, maybe Maths) might be better. I would suggest History, which is a rigorous course, but would also allow some flexibility should she decide to do something other than the overwhelmingly popular Psychology (my daughter was going to do Animation til she got her results, so they can change their mind)! I think outside Oxbridge there's much more flexibility in terms of A levels and depends on whether it's a BSc or BA - it's a BSc at Bath for example snd they recommend a numerical subject though they include Psychology in this, plus an essay based subject (and they include Sociology and psychology in that)!
I'd want a slightly broader profile if it was my DD, though I think the assumption your husband makes that Sociology is 'mickey mouse' is incorrect.

Some psychology degrees like Biology or Maths, History is good as essay subject as is Eng lit.

I agree that maths and or another science subject would be useful if going on to do a psychology degree. Anecdotally I know a few people who did psychology degrees, the ones who had done maths or another science A-Level did much better on their course, the ones who didn't came out with low degree classifications or worse, failed. These people were all unprepared for how maths & sciencey the degree course can be. So my comment isn't so much about getting on the course but thinking about what would actually give them a good head start when they start it.