OCR A-level Sociology
H580
Specification H580. "Paper" and "Mark scheme" open the exam board's official PDF directly — we don't host any files.
OCR A-level Sociology (H580)
OCR A-level Sociology (H580) is assessed entirely by three written papers. Socialisation, culture and identity (01) is 1 hour 30 minutes, 90 marks and 30% of the A-level, with one option from families and relationships, youth subcultures or media. Researching and understanding social inequalities (02) and Debates in contemporary society (03) are each 2 hours 15 minutes, 105 marks and 35%; both include synoptic assessment. Paper 3 combines compulsory globalisation and the digital social world with one option from crime and deviance, education, or religion, belief and faith.
| Paper | What it covers | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H580/01 Socialisation, culture and identity | Section A, Introducing socialisation, culture and identity, has compulsory short and medium tariff questions, some based on source material. Section B: learners choose one option (families and relationships, youth subcultures or media) and answer three extended-response questions. | 1h 30m | 90 | 30% |
| H580/02 Researching and understanding social inequalities | Synoptic paper. Section A, Research methods and researching social inequalities, has compulsory short and medium tariff questions, some based on source material; Section B, Understanding social inequalities (social class, gender, ethnicity and age), has two compulsory essay questions. | 2h 15m | 105 | 35% |
| H580/03 Debates in contemporary society | Synoptic paper. Section A, Globalisation and the digital social world, has compulsory short and medium tariff questions, some based on source material. Section B: learners choose one option (crime and deviance, education, or religion, belief and faith) and answer three extended-response questions. | 2h 15m | 105 | 35% |
June 20253 papers
H580/01Paper 1 (Socialisation, culture and identity)
H580/02Paper 2 (Researching and understanding social inequalities)
H580/03Paper 3 (Debates in contemporary society)
June 20243 papers
H580/01Paper 1 (Socialisation, culture and identity)
H580/02Paper 2 (Researching and understanding social inequalities)
H580/03Paper 3 (Debates in contemporary society)
June 20233 papers
H580/01Paper 1 (Socialisation, culture and identity)
H580/02Paper 2 (Researching and understanding social inequalities)
H580/03Paper 3 (Debates in contemporary society)
June 20223 papers
H580/01Paper 1 (Socialisation, culture and identity)
H580/02Paper 2 (Researching and understanding social inequalities)
H580/03Paper 3 (Debates in contemporary society)
November 20213 papers
H580/01Paper 1 (Socialisation, culture and identity)
H580/02Paper 2 (Researching and understanding social inequalities)
H580/03Paper 3 (Debates in contemporary society)
June 20173 papers
H580/01Paper 1 (Socialisation, culture and identity)
H580/02Paper 2 (Researching and understanding social inequalities)
H580/03Paper 3 (Debates in contemporary society)
Every link above points to a PDF published by OCR. The most recent series is usually teacher-only until the board releases it publicly. Broken link? Tell us.
Turn past papers into visible progress
Create a free Wisesprout account, pick your level, board and subject, and every paper on that line appears in your dashboard — mark each one done or flag it for a redo, and watch your coverage grow. Studying with a Wisesprout mentor? They can set papers as homework and follow your progress.