Subject | Psychology |
Entry Requirements | Five 9-4 grades at GCSE (or equivalent), including a grade 5 in Maths and English |
Exam Board | AQA |
Content relating to the subject qualification | AS - Unit 1 : Introductory Topics in Psychology This unit is divided into three separate topics : Social Influence, Memory and Attachment. Within these areas we look at conformity and obedience, how are memory works and why we forgot and the importance of early childhood attachments on later life. AS - Unit 2 : Psychology in Context This unit is also divided into three separate topics : Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology and Psychopathology. Within this topics we look at three different approaches : learning, cognitive and biological. We also look at clinical psychology including explanations of treatments of phobias, depression and OCD. |
|
A2 – Unit 1 : Introductory Topics in Psychology
This unit covers the AS content from Unit 1 and Psychopathology (clinical) from Unit 2. The exam will be sat in May/June of the 2nd year of study and is worth 35% of the overall grade.
A2 - Unit 2 : Psychology in Contect
Unit 2 includes the approaches and biopsychology from Unit 2 at AS. In addition, it covers the psychodynamic approach and humanistic psychology. Research methods will also be covered explicitly in this unit with a heavy emphasis on scientific processes and data analysis.
A2 - Unit 3 : Issues and Debates in Psychology
Unit 3 aims to continue to develop an understanding of how to use theories and evidence from many areas of psychology and their application to real life. Students will look at a variety of issue and debates in Psychology. We will then cover one topic from each of the following : Option 1 – Relationships, Gender or Cognition and Development, Option 2 – Schizophrenia, Eating behaviour, or Stress, Option 3 – Aggression, Forensic Psychology or Addiction.
Assessment of the qualification
There will be 3 exams at the end of the 2 year course. Each exam is worth a third of the overall grade.
To progress into the 2nd year of the course, all students will sit an exam in the summer term. This will be combined with their work throughout the year to decide suitability to continue with the full A-level. Students will have the opportunity to sit only the AS exams if they do not plan to carry on to complete the full A-level. This will be comprised of 2 exams, both worth 50%.
Career Pathways
Psychology is one of the most versatile subjects and can help in almost every profession. In the past, popular pathways for students have been to study psychology, clinical psychology, child development, forensic science, law and teaching.
