Psychology A-Level

What is A-Level Psychology?

Psychology A-Level is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. If you have ever wondered why some people become aggressive and commit crimes, or questioned the extent to which individuals obey a person of authority, then Psychology may be for you. Psychology will help you to answer these questions and gain an insight into the motivations and reasons behind a range of behaviours.

What Will You Study?

Psychology Reading List >

Research Methods (including experiments, self-report, observations, correlations, data analysis and how science works)

Core Studies

• Responses to people in authority
• Responses to people in need
• Memory
• Attention
• External influences on children’s behaviour
• Moral Development
• Brain structure and functioning
• Understanding disorders – phobias and autism
• Measuring differences – intelligence and language of psychopaths
• Debates in Psychology – e.g. nature /nurture, free-will /determinism

During the second year you will also study:

• Mental Health
• Criminal Psychology
• Sport Psychology

What Next?

Students wishing to pursue Psychology after College can study it at university and ultimately have the opportunity to specialise in one of the many applied areas of Psychology such as Clinical or Forensic. Further postgraduate training would enable you to become an accredited Psychologist.

Psychology A Level will also enable students to pursue many other degree courses, as it relates to many other subjects, giving an insight into factors that can influence people’s behaviour. This insight will be relevant to many future careers, including, for example, law, medicine, caring professions, human resources, teaching and marketing.

Exam Board

OCR

Entry Requirements

At least five 5s at GCSE, including at least a 5 in Maths and a 5 in English Language.

Have you considered studying a Mixed Programme (A-Levels and BTECs)? Whether you’re on target to achieve five 5s in your GCSEs or not, there may still be an option to study A-Levels alongside a BTEC qualification at Newman.

Course Type

A-Level

What other subjects go well with this subject?

Sociology, Criminology, Science, Maths, Business Studies, Philosophy, Law and PE.