Psychology

Department:
Social Sciences
Type of Qualification:
A Level
Exam Board:
AQA
Requirements:
GCSE Grade 6 or higher in English, Mathematics and Science

Course Content

A Level: 2 years

Paper 1: 

  • Social influence
  • Memory
  • Attachment
  • Psychopathology

Paper 2:

  • Approaches in Psychology
  • Biopsychology
  • Research methods

Paper 3: 

  • Issues and debates in Psychology

Optional content: one from each option

Option 1:

Relationships, Gender, or Cognition and Development

Option 2:

Schizophrenia, Eating Behaviour, or Stress

Option 3:

Aggression, Forensic Psychology, or Addiction

Style Of Assessment

At A Level: three papers. The exams last 2 hours each and consist of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions.

Whose kind of course?

Anyone interested in why people behave the way they do. Psychology is the scientific study of the Mind and Behaviour. Psychological theories and knowledge are based on relevant, accurate research and form the basis for practical applications that affect our lives in all areas of performance, for example in education, childcare, sport, medicine and the workplace.

Psychology develops skills of numeracy and literacy, and  combines well with science, arts and humanities subjects.

Stretch and challenge – Aiming for A*

  • Wider reading or more in-depth independent research, and students are expected to feed back to peers.
  • The ability to analyse theories and research with respect to relevant issues, debates and approaches to psychology, and to understand research as a scientific process.
  • The expertise in designing psychological research and applying statistical tests in order to analyse data.

Career Prospects

Psychology is relevant for any career involving contact with people eg Social Work, Education, Advertising, Medicine, Business, Management and specialisms in Psychology.