Psychology A Level

We are all amateur psychologists in that we constantly try to understand the behaviour of people around us. In seeking to understand human behaviour, psychologists use scientific research to look at a range of influences from early childhood experiences and socialisation to biological factors such as genes, hormones and brain structure. These approaches will have different implications and issues which you will seek to understand as a student of psychology, in addition to a range of fascinating topics and research methods.

In Year 1 you will explore social influences, including conformity, obedience and authority, models of memory and how eyewitness testimony goes wrong, the way children develop attachments to their parents and their impact on later life, and mental illnesses including issues with diagnosis and their treatment. You will study the various approaches to explaining behaviour, how psychology has developed as a science and explore how a range of research techniques are used within the topics, developing your expertise through practical experience.

In Year 2 you will explore four key topic areas: biopsychology, including the brain, nervous system and how sleep works, how schizophrenia is caused and treated, the development of gender identity and forensic psychology, which studies the causes of criminal behaviour and rehabilitation. You will discuss a number of debates within psychology, including the implications of the nature vs nurture debate, research bias and the ethics of psychological research. You will also develop your understanding of research methodology further, adding statistical analysis to your skill-set.

While you may not yet know whether you want a career in Psychology, the skills you develop in science, research and writing as part of the course are attractive to any employer, making Psychology a great foundation for a wide range of careers.

Year 1 Modules

Introductory Topics in Psychology

Psychology in Context

Year 2 Modules

Psychology in Context

Issues and Options in Psychology

100% Exam

Exam Board: AQA

Five GCSEs at Grade 5 including:

Grade 5 in GCSE English Language OR Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature with a Grade 4 in GCSE English Language

Grade 5 in GCSE Maths

Grade 5 in GCSE Double Science OR Grade 5 in GCSE Biology

Many students studying Psychology at A Level go on to complete a related degree, because of the subject interest and the versatile skills it develops.

While students may not know whether they want a specific career in Psychology, skills in Science and research are applicable in many other domains and the writing skills developed are attractive to any employer. This makes Psychology a useful foundation for a wide range of careers.

Anglia Ruskin University remains our most popular destination, and many students opt for the financial benefits of studying from or nearer to home. Other destinations range across a wide range of institutions, including those in the Russell Group.