A-Level Psychology

You will need 5 GCSE's at grade 5-9, including English Language, with Science and/or Maths at a grade 6.

You do not need to have studied Psychology previously. However, you should be prepared for a challenging course involving scientific content, mathematics, research methods, extended writing and a substantial amount of independent study.

You will have 3 x 1 hour 30 minute lessons each week and 1 x dedicated study period for each A Level.
The AQA A Level Psychology qualification is assessed through three externally examined papers. Students complete all assessments at the end of Year 13.
Each examination lasts two hours, is worth 96 marks and contributes 33.3% of the final A Level grade.

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
Students are assessed on:
Social Influence
Memory
Attachment
Clinical Psychology and Mental Health

The paper contains four sections, with each topic worth 24 marks.

Paper 2: Psychology in Context
Students are assessed on:
Approaches in Psychology
Biopsychology
Research Methods

Approaches and Biopsychology are each worth 24 marks. Research Methods is worth 48 marks, making it an especially important part of the course.

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology
Students are assessed on:
Issues and Debates in Psychology
Cognition and Development
Schizophrenia
Forensic Psychology
The paper contains four sections, with each topic worth 24 marks.

What types of questions are included?

Across the three examinations, students will answer a mixture of:
Multiple-choice questions
Short-answer questions
Application questions based on unfamiliar scenarios
Research methods and mathematical questions
Extended writing and essay questions

There is no coursework or controlled assessment. The final grade is based entirely on the three written examinations.

English and maths are important life skills that will help you to achieve your best in your studies and progress to your dream career. If you have not already achieved grade 9-4 in GCSE maths and/ or English at school, we will support you to improve your skills.

Our A Level programmes allow you to choose multiple subjects, enabling you to study 3–4 A Levels over two years or combine them with equivalent vocational qualifications, with each subject taught for 4 hours and 30 minutes per week across three separate lessons and your timetable determined by your chosen subjects (provided at the start of the academic year).
Although you are not required to be on campus when you do not have a timetabled lesson, we strongly recommend making effective use of our learning facilities and resources during these periods to stay on top of your work.

The aims and objectives of the AQA A Level in Psychology are to enable students to:

The course will enable students to:

- Develop knowledge and understanding of key psychological theories, concepts and research
- Explore biological, cognitive, behavioural, social and developmental explanations of behaviour
- Understand how psychological research is designed, conducted and analysed
- Develop practical research, mathematical and data-analysis skills
- Apply psychological knowledge to real-life situations and unfamiliar scenarios
- Analyse and evaluate theories, research studies and scientific evidence
- Consider important debates, ethical issues and different perspectives within psychology
- Develop critical thinking, problem-solving and independent study skills
- Construct clear, evidence-based arguments in extended written responses
- Appreciate how psychology contributes to understanding individuals, society, mental health, child development and criminal behaviour
- Prepare for further study and careers involving psychology, science, healthcare, education, research and the wider social sciences

Human behaviour is complex, and the first year of A Level Psychology is designed to help students explain behaviour from a range of different perspectives. Students will explore how:
- The social situation, culture and personality can influence obedience and prejudice
- Cognitive processes such as memory shape our experiences, education and eye-witness testimony
- Biological factors such as the brain, evolution, hormones and neurotransmitters affect behaviour, with a focus on aggression
- How behaviour can be learned through associations, role models and rewards/punishments, with an application to phobias.

In the second year, students build on this strong foundation by applying psychological theories, concepts and research to specific topic areas. This includes:
- Clinical Psychology, where students explore mental health diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia and depression
- Child Psychology, where students examine attachment, autism and child development.

Throughout the two years, students will develop a detailed understanding of the research methods psychologists use to investigate human behaviour. They will learn how to design, analyse and evaluate psychological research using methods such as experiments, questionnaires, interviews, observations, correlations and case studies. Students will also build confidence in mathematical skills through data collection, data analysis, interpretation of findings and the use of statistics.