Psychology

QUALIFICATION
Advanced Level
Exam Board: AQA
REQUIREMENTS
GCSE Maths Grade 4
GCSE English Grade 5
5 grade 5s or higher

Why study Psychology?

Psychology involves the scientific study of human/animal mental functions and behaviour. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individuals and social behaviour while also exploring physiological and neurological processes.

There are many types and ways of research in Psychology to help us understand: relationships, personality, brain functioning, memory, behaviour, phobias and much more.

What skills are required?

Psychology requires a wide range of skills which you will develop during your time on the course. You will be required to read and analyse scientific material, select important points from documents and draw valid conclusions about each topic you study.

There is a topic which requires mathematical skills, such as analysing and interpreting statistical data.

There is also a lot of written content, so communication, discussion and essay writing skills are essential and will be hugely developed throughout the course.

Psychology is an Applied Science which relates to many of our everyday experiences; you will be combining skills from both Science and Arts based subjects.

Course Content

Paper 1:
• Social influence
• Memory
• Attachment
• Psychopathology

Paper 2:
• Research methods
• Approaches in Psychology
• Biopsychology

Paper 3:
• Issues and Debates in Psychology
• Gender
• Schizophrenia
• Forensics

All papers are sat at the end of two years to achieve an A level.

How will it be assessed?

Paper 1 Introductory topics in Psychology

Written exam
2 hours
96 marks in total
33.3% of A level

Paper 2 Psychology in context

Written exam
2 hours
96 marks in total
33.3% of A level

Paper 3 Issues and options in Psychology

Written exam
2 hours
96 marks in total
33.3% of A level

Progression

Psychology incorporates research from Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences.

Studying Psychology allows further progression into many different careers and academic routes. For example many students go on to study: Counselling, Sports, Clinical, Educational and Business Psychology, Teaching and Midwifery.

There are also many other routes to go down such as age development, working in the media or with legal and forensic companies.

Staff Contact
samantha.warner@oldburywells.com