Psychology

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Psychology

A Level                                                                   Exam Board: AQA

Entrance requirements:

Minimum of 6 in Biology, Mathematics & English Language or Literature, with 7 in either Biology or Mathematics.

Career opportunities:

Psychology is a multifaceted scientific subject. Not only does it lead to a variety of specific degree options (e.g. Clinical Psychology) but it also serves as a valuable basis for other higher education options (e.g., Neuroscience; Law; Nursing, Business Management). Many of our pupils go on to study pure psychology and specific study options (e.g., clinical and forensic psychology) at university (including Oxbridge courses).  To achieve chartered status as a Psychologist, a highly standardised and regulated route of study and practice is required (https://www.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologist), but studying Psychology at A Level can open doors to many different careers in the health sector, education and research. A Level Psychology is not necessarily required to study Psychology at degree level, but it is certainly advised. Studying Psychology strongly develops theory to practice thinking, ability to diagnose real-world behavioural issues and design evidence-based interventions. Pupils studying A Level Psychology will be equipped with a stronger awareness of how to describe, predict and evaluate human behaviour, and apply such psychological knowledge in ways that enhance human life

Structure of course:

The two-year A Level course is made up of the following topics, assessed by three written examinations:

Paper 1:

• Social Influence (e.g., Explanations for conformity and obedience)
• Memory (e.g., Theories of forgetting; Eyewitness testimony accuracy)
• Attachment (e.g., Types of infant attachment; Research into Romanian orphans)
• Psychopathology (e.g., Biological approach to explaining and treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Paper 2:

• Approaches in Psychology (e.g., Behaviourism; Cognitive Neuroscience)
• Biopsychology (e.g., Localisation of brain function; Split brain research)
• Research Methods (e.g., Experimental and non-experiment methods; Inferential Testing)

Paper 3:

• Issues and Debates in Psychology (e.g., Nature-Nurture debate)
• Schizophrenia (e.g., Dopamine hypothesis; Typical & atypical antipsychotics)
• Cognition and Development (e.g., Intellectual development; Explanations for autism)
• Forensic Psychology (e.g., Offender profiling; Cognitive distortions, Dealing with offending)

We provide a vibrant and stimulating environment for pupils to develop interest in the relationship between brain and behaviour, and explore the various methodologies for studying this relationship. Critically, research methods and data handling techniques used by psychologists are a core focus.

Pupils have the opportunity to attend a support clinic and the Psychology Society, where topics like personality, perception and motivation are discussed and the latest research in these areas reviewed in seminar-style sessions.

Development of diagnosis and critical analysis skills are key and we ensure this subject is taught in a way that fosters such insight via consultation simulations, applied case studies (e.g., amnesia case studies) and formal debates. Furthermore, pupils have access to key resources such as the British Psychological Society monthly magazine, The Psychologist, Scientific American, Psychology Today and Psychology Review. Some topics (e.g., Cognition and Development) are excitingly accompanied by lunchtime live research seminars where pupils get hands-on experience conducting controlled observations and experiments of behaviour. This fascinating subject requires an inquisitive mind, as well as a diligent approach to one’s studies in order to cope with the significant breadth and depth of content.       

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