Humanities & Social Science

Available to AS (1 year) or A Level (2 year)

Accounting

Accounting is a practical study of how different types of transactions are categorised and recorded. Successful accounting ensures that company finances are transparent and effective decision making can take place. This is an applied course that provides students with a working knowledge of accounting systems and the underlying principles on which they are based.

This course aims to develop critical and analytical accounting skills by providing a strong foundation for those who wish to study of Accountancy or Finance to a higher level, as well as for those planning to study related subjects at university such as Business, Economics, Management, Finance, or Law.

Students should note that Accounting has features that are quite different from Economics. Students are encouraged to take both Economics and Accounting if they wish to pursue a degree in a related field.

Both AS and A level cover two areas:

• Financial Accounting

• Cost Accounting

AS topics include:

• Financial Accounting: recording transactions and financial information, accounting principles, preparation of financial statements, financial statement analysis

• Cost Accounting: costing principles and fundamental costing technique

A Level topics include:
In addition to the AS content covered in more depth:

• Financial Accounting: manufacturing accounts, non-profit organization accounting, preparation of cash flow statement, business purchases & merger accounting, further ratio analysis

• Cost Accounting: further costing technique, budgeting and investment appraisal

Students should appreciate that to succeed in accounting, they should not only have good numerical skills, but also a strong command over English.

Available to AS (1 year) or A Level (2 year)

Economics

Economics is a social science that studies the behaviour of producers, consumers and governments.

This is a British (Cambridge Assessment International Education) curriculum course spanning over two years, designed for students to go on to further studies of Economics or related subjects at university.

The syllabus covers a range of topics including:

• basic economic ideas and resource allocation

• the price system and the microeconomy

• government microeconomic intervention

• the macro economy

• government macroeconomic intervention

The syllabus also covers a range of concepts including:

• scarcity and choice

• the margin and change

• equilibrium and efficiency

• regulation and equity

• Progress and Development

By the end of the A2 year, students should possess:

• a factual knowledge of economics

• a facility for self-expression using relevant statistics and diagrams

• the habit of referencing sources of data specific to economics

• the habit of reading critically to gain information about the changing economy we live in

• an appreciation of the most effective ways economic data may be analysed, correlated, discussed and presented

Economics combines well with most other A Level subjects, including the other social sciences, humanities, and mathematics.

If students are considering doing Economics at university, it is recommended they also do A Level Mathematics; and if they want to study Economics at Oxbridge, it is recommended they also do A Level Further Mathematics.

Available to AS (1 year) or A Level (2 year)

Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth and the physical and human processes that shape it.

The course is divided into two main components:

• Physical Geography focuses on understanding the natural forces that shape the landscape.

• Human Geography examines the development of human environments and the social, economic, and environmental issues that affect them.

A central theme throughout the course is the interconnectedness between human and physical systems. The course is not merely about memorizing facts; it aims to cultivate accuracy and objectivity in data generation, while fostering excellence in data recording, processing, analysis, and interpretation.

Students will also develop critical thinking skills, enabling them to make well-supported judgments and present coherent, evidence-based arguments.

Additionally, the course emphasizes the role of humans in the sustainable management of resources at both local and global scales. Students will gain an appreciation for the delicate balance between economic development and environmental conservation, as well as the importance of preserving global ecosystems.

Case studies from around the world will deepen students’ spatial awareness and introduce them to diverse countries, regions, and issues within a contextual framework.

AS Year Topics

• Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology

• Population

• Atmosphere and Weather

• Migration

• Rocks and Weathering

• Settlement Dynamics

A2 Year Topics

Physical Options:

• Tropical Environments

• Hazardous Environments

Human Options:

• Environmental Management

• Economic Transition

Available to AS (1 year) or A Level (2 year)

History

Students beginning their studies in the year 2024 at SCIE will study Cambridge AS and A Level Syllabus 9489.

AS Year Topics (Late Modern Europe, 1750–1921)

Students will learn about key events in Europe during the Late Modern Period, with a focus on three of the following topics:

• The French Revolution

• The Russian Revolution

• Liberalism and Nationalism in Germany

A2 Year Topics (Interwar Europe & The Cold War)

Students will study:

• Europe during the interwar years (1919–1941), focusing on:

  • Nazi Germany

  • Stalin’s Russia

• Historical Interpretations of the Cold War, where students explore varying views and interpretations of its origins.

Skills Development

The skills developed at A Level build upon those learned at IGCSE, including:

• Source analysis

• Essay writing

However, A Level study demands:

• Greater depth of knowledge and analytical skills

• Introduction to Historiography in the A2 year — the analysis of different historical interpretations, particularly regarding the Cold War — a component not covered at IGCSE.

Available to AS (1 year) or A Level (2 year)

Psychology

Psychology is the science of human behaviour. It is a relatively new subject at A Level but is highly popular in schools and colleges around the world.

At undergraduate level, Psychology ranks:

• Top 3 most-chosen subjects in the UK

• Top 5 in the USA

Many SCIE students apply to and receive offers from Oxbridge, Ivy League, and Russell Group universities to study Psychology.

AS Year Topics

The AS syllabus focuses on 12 key psychological studies, including well-known research such as:

• Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study (aggression)

• Milgram’s Study on Obedience

• Baron-Cohen’s Research on Autism and Theory of Mind

Students must understand the aims, variables, procedures, results, and conclusions of each study.

They are also expected to evaluate each study in terms of:

• Scientific validity and reliability

• Research design, sampling, and controls

• Broader themes and perspectives including:

  • Cognitive, social, physiological, and developmental psychology

  • Issues such as reductionism, determinism, and the nature vs. nurture debate

  • Ethical considerations and the social, moral, and cultural context of psychological research

A2 Year Topics

At A2, students study two in-depth options:

• Abnormal Psychology

• Health Psychology

Skills and Expectations

This is a demanding course that develops strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills—valuable for any academic or professional path.

The course aims to:

• Introduce core psychological concepts, theories, and applications

• Encourage understanding of both the potential and limitations of psychological approaches

• Develop students’ ability to connect research with real-life situations

• Strengthen skills in analysis, interpretation, application, and evaluation

Available to AS (1 year) or A Level (2 year)

Sociology

Sociology is the study of society—it explores the diverse social relationships that people form within their families, schools, and workplaces.

At SCIE, Sociology has become a very popular subject. It ranks among the top 10 undergraduate choices in both the UK and the USA.

SCIE students have achieved remarkable results, including:

• Best-in-China examination results

• Winners of the British Sociological Association Essay Competition

• Winners of the FOBISIA Essay Competition

Many of our students apply to and receive offers from Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, and alumni have gone on to pursue successful careers in both the public and private sectors.

AS Year Topics

The AS Level syllabus is divided into two main units:

1. Socialisation, Identity, and Methods of Research

2. The Family

The Family unit includes:

• Theories of the family

• Social change

• Changing family roles and relationships

While the course adopts a global perspective, the primary focus is on studies based in the UK and USA. Therefore, an active interest in these societies and a willingness to stay updated on current developments is essential.

The school library offers access to Sociology Review, and a wide range of additional resources is available via SharePoint and Teams.

Skills and Expectations

Sociology at A Level is a demanding subject. It requires:

• Strong critical thinking skills

• The ability to learn and apply extensive sociological vocabulary

• A commitment to independent reading beyond classroom lessons

Students who engage fully with the subject will gain a deep understanding of social structures, identities, and change, and develop valuable skills applicable across academic disciplines and career paths.