A Level Psychology

A fascinating subject with a rigorous and scientific approach.

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and experience. This stimulating subject combines fascinating content with a rigorous and scientific approach to investigation. It has recently undergone a huge growth in popularity.

About the Course

This course covers a broad range of topics from learning about why we are more likely to obey those in uniform to the multifaceted approach to explaining schizophrenia, alongside why some people become criminals and others don’t! And, what happens when you cut someone’s brain in half?

You will develop your ability to formulate an argument by presenting and critically evaluating research evidence. Assessment includes short structured questions and longer essay style questions. Psychology continues to grow in popularity for both A level and undergraduate study, with an average twenty five percent of Hills Road Psychology students continuing with the subject or a related degree.

Opportunities unique to this course

Psychology, for many, offers a new science subject focused on the working of the human mind. Psychology appeals to all types of students and is well respected by many universities and apprenticeship pathways. As you study, you will have the opportunity to develop many different skills; critical evaluation, scientific investigation, mathematical analysis, extended writing and informed debating.

During this course, you will cover:

Social influence: Why do we conform to the majority? obey evil? How do we create social change?

Memory: How does memory work? Why do we forget?

Attachment: What are good attachments in infancy? What are the lifelong effects of poor infant care?

Psychopathology: How do we explain and treat OCD, phobias and depression?

Biopsychology: What are the different functions of the brain? How does the brain recover after injury?

Relationships: Why do they last and what happens when they don’t? How have partner preferences evolved? What theories explain our virtual relationships?

Schizophrenia: What are the symptoms? How do we diagnose it? What are the explanations and how do we treat it?

Forensic: How do we profile offenders? How do we explain and deal with crime?

Approaches: Explaining behaviour from different perspectives, e.g., biological, behavioural, cognitive

Research methods: Experiments, observations, sampling and data analysis.

Issues and debates: Gender & culture bias, nature v nurture, free will v determinism.

There are three written exams, consisting of structured and essay style questions. Each lasts 2 hours, and counts for one third of your overall grade.

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

Psychology is a very useful basis for a psychology or related degree, leading to clinical, sports or forensic psychology. It is also a well-respected A level for many further study choices and occupations from medicine to AI advisor.