Why Study Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and the mind. It aims to  to give us an understanding of what motivates people, how we are influenced for example by childhood experiences, group pressures and the environment.

It offers a unique educational experience that develops a distinctive and broad set of skills. It’s located in scientific method and allows scope for extensive evaluation from a range of perspectives.

The course  provides  students with the exciting opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of psychology. Stimulating content is at the heart of these engaging qualifications, which will encourage students to think like psychologists. It encourage the development of strong literacy and numeracy skills.

The acquisition of such a diverse range of skills will be of great benefit to students in further education, in the workplace and society in general.

 

What is Covered?

Course Content:
CONTENT OVERVIEW AS LEVEL

Our AS Level Psychology qualification has been designed to be co-teachable with the first year of the A Level. The specification content is taken from components 1 and 2 of the full A Level qualification.

Component 1: Research methods

This component is intended to introduce and develop a knowledge and understanding of the process of planning, conducting, analysing and reporting psychological research across a range of experimental and non-experimental methodologies and techniques. Component title Content overview

Component 2: Psychological themes through core studies This component focuses on some of the central areas of investigation in psychology. For each area of psychology, there is a key theme for which students are presented with both a classic and a contemporary study. The classic studies are ‘landmark’ pieces of research that have helped to shape the course of the subject and which all students of Psychology should be familiar with. The contemporary studies are more up-to date pieces of research that engage in some way with the issues being explored in the classic studies they are paired.

A LEVEL Component :

Component 1: Research methods.

This component is intended to introduce and develop a knowledge and understanding of the process of planning, conducting, analysing and reporting psychological research across a range of experimental and non-experimental methodologies and techniques. Students are required to conduct their own practical work, they are provided with the opportunity to understand what’s involved in a range of different research methods and techniques. An awareness of associated strengths and weaknesses is also developed. Students are encouraged to reflect on their research journeys as they develop vital investigative skills and develop an appreciation of the principles of empirical scientific enquiry

Component 2: Psychological themes through core studies Component 2 introduces key themes and core studies in psychology.

The selection of classic and contemporary studies enables students to appreciate how psychological knowledge and understanding develop over time and enables students to place research in its historical context. The contemporary studies are more ‘up-to-date’ pieces of research that engage in some way with the issues being explored in the classic studies they are paired. By the end of the component, students will have built up a varied knowledge of exemplar studies, a sound understanding of key themes and areas, and strong critical evaluation skills.

What career opportunities are there?

Psychology ‘A’ Level is appropriate for careers in Psychology and other sciences that involve behaviour.  It has been used as an entry qualification for a diverse range of university courses including medicine, law and marketing.

Entry Requirements:

Students must attain at least 5 A*-C grades including English Language and Mathematics and a total point score of  42+ in the student’s best 8 subjects.