Contact : Mrs G Bilkhu	Examination Board & Code : AQA  AS 5181, A2 6181
Length of Course : 2 Years to full A level

 

 

What is Psychology A level about?

This course examines aspects of human behaviour and why people behave the way they do.  At AS level it includes topics such as memory, stress, child development and abnormality.  At A2 level possible topics include sleep, addiction, eating behaviour and psychopathology.  There is also a section on Psychology in Action in the A2 course, which deals with contemporary issues, e.g. Media psychology or the psychology of addictive behaviour.   Throughout both AS and A2 there is emphasis on the scientific basis of psychology.  The focus is on the importance of analysis, interpretation, explanation and evaluation of the methodology, results and impact of their own and others’ experimental and investigative activities in a variety of ways.

 

 

Is this course for me?

To cope with the scientific nature of the new syllabus and the inter-disciplinary nature of Psychology, a GCSE pass in Science and English at grade A-C is essential.

 

What else do I need to know?

You will be required to write essays involving critical evaluation. You will also need to be prepared to spend a minimum of five hours a week on homework.

 

What do other students say?

“I have found this course very demanding and challenging, which, to me, makes it enjoyable.”

 “If you want to learn something about yourself and the people around you, this is the one to take.”

“It’s hard work and really makes you think.”

Where could it lead?

The ‘A’ level itself is accepted as a science subject on some undergraduate degree courses at University. A University undergraduate degree in Psychology can lead to a career as a Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Academic

Research, and  Occupational Psychology. However, many psychology graduates take up other professions in areas such as banking, accountancy, marketing and teaching.

 

How is the course structured?

 

Unit Content	Unit Assessment
AS Unit 1: Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Research Methods	Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes 50% of total AS marks, 25 % of total A level
AS Unit 2: Biological Psychology Social Psychology Individual differences	Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes 50% of total AS marks, 25 % of total A level
A2 Unit 3: Three from: Biological rhythms and sleep Perception Relationships Aggression Eating behaviour Gender Intelligence and learning Cognition and development.	Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes 25 % of total A level marks Three essay-style questions
A2 Unit 4: Psychopathology Psychology in action – one contemporary issue Psychological Research and Scientific Methods	Written paper, 2 hours 25 % of total A level marks Three questions : 2 essays, one structured.