A Level Psychology
Why study this subject?
Choosing psychology will allow you to develop an understanding of the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Psychology is an ideal bridging subject between the arts and the sciences due to the scientific and statistical element, which complements the study of Mathematics and natural sciences, and the requirement to write evaluative essays, which will appeal to humanities students.
As psychology is a science you will be required to employ mathematical statistical tests – at least 10% of Psychology involves mathematical data analysis and interpretation and 30% biology.
Psychologists research brain structure and function, memory, thinking and reasoning, and also social factors, such as how other people influence us. Students must therefore be interested in people, specifically why people act and think in the way they do.
The subject develops skills suitable for further study in almost any subject and is highly regarded by universities.
It is particularly useful for health related degree courses and any professions which involve working closely with people – a number of medical schools actively encourage students to choose Psychology as their third A Level.
Students are expected to undertake 3-4 hours of independent work each week for this subject.
Topics you will cover
Psychology will allow you to develop skills of analysis and evaluation, whilst studying a range of interesting topics.
The A Level course covers:
- Conformity
- Obedience
- Memory
- Attachments
- Phobias
- Depression
- OCD
- Schizophrenia
- Origins of Psychology
- Approaches to Psychology
- The Nervous System
- Neurons and Synaptic Transmission
- Brain Localisation
- Biological Rhythms
- The Endocrine System
- Forensic Psychology
The A Level Psychology course is linear, with final assessment at the end of two years.
Entry Guidelines
This course requires grades 5/5 in Combined Science or grade 5 in Biology and a grade 5 in either Chemistry or Physics.
In addition, you will also need Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics and Grade 5 in either English Language or Literature.
Skills you will develop
