A Level: Psychology
Course title: Advanced GCE in Psychology
Exam board: AQA
Subject specific entry criteria: Minimum Grade 6 in a Separate Science GCSE or Grade 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science.
Course overview
Paper 1: Introductory topics in Psychology:
In Social Influence, you will learn about why people conform/obey others, including obeying orders to commit atrocious acts and what factors lead people to resist authority.
In Memory, you will learn about how your memory works, how accurate eyewitness testimonies are and why we remember false memories.
In Attachment, you will learn about how we develop emotional attachments to others as a child; how childhood relationships affect adult relationships; and what happens if we are deprived of a childhood attachment.
In Psychopathology you will study what abnormality is and learn about the causes and treatments of OCD, phobias and depression.
Paper 2: Psychology in Context:
In Approaches to Psychology, you will learn about the different theoretical approaches to studying behaviour.
In Biopsychology, you will study how biological processes and structures affect behaviour as well as the consequences of brain trauma.
In Research Methods you learn how to carry out psychological investigations.
Paper 3: Issues and options in Psychology
In this paper we will explore some of the key issues and debates in Psychology including; nature versus nurture; free will versus determinism. You will also explore explanations for aggression, schizophrenia and gender.
Assessment overview
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
- Written exam 2 hours
- 96 marks
- 33.3% of A Level
Multiple choice, short answer and extended answer questions for each of the 4 topic sections.
Paper 2: Psychology in Context
- Written exam 2 hours
- 96 marks
- 33.3% of A Level
Multiple choice, short answer and extended answer questions for each of the 3 topic sections.
Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology
- Written exam 2 hours
- 96 marks
- 33% of full A Level
Multiple choice, short answer and extended answer questions for each of the 3 topic sections.
Future progression
A Level Psychology is an excellent stepping stone for studying a degree in the field of Psychology, Social Sciences or Humanities. Due to the focus on studying ‘Research Methods’, A Level Psychology also acts as a stepping stone to other Scientific or Business-related degrees as conducting scientific investigations is an essential component of most undergraduate degrees. Additionally, A Level Psychology is useful for health-care related subjects at a degree level, such as Medicine, Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy due to the biological focus across the A Level course.
Potential careers
Psychology: Clinical, Neuro, Sport, Health, Educational, Counselling, Occupational and Forensic.
Other careers: any career needing statistical analysis (Accountancy) or a focus on human interaction e.g., Teaching, Human Resources (HR), Marketing, Business Management to name a few.
How to succeed in Psychology
- Keep an organised folder of work and revision resources.
- Use the Psychology independent study resources in your study time.
- Use exam practice questions to assess your knowledge.
- Create essay plans for every potential topic and practice writing them under timed conditions.
- Use the specification checklists to keep track of your revision.
- Read around the subject and seek out current research in Psychology via the BPS Research Digest and the Super-Curricular resources provided.