Psychology A Level

PSYCHOLOGY (AQA 7182)

Course Overview

The A-Level course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of Psychology. This specification provides a broad and balanced content, with superb progression to higher education.

A Level Psychology

Paper 1:

Introductory topics in Psychology (33.3% weighting)

The content of this paper includes topics on social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology. Students will be assessed in a 2-hour written exam.

Paper 2:

Psychology in context (33.3% weighting)

The content of this paper includes topics on approaches in Psychology, biopsychology and research methods. Students will be assessed in a 2-hour written exam.

Paper/Component 3:

Issues and options in Psychology (33.3% weighting)

The content of this paper includes topics on issues and debates in Psychology. Students will then study 3 options from; relationships, gender, cognition and development, schizophrenia, eating behaviour, stress, aggression, forensic and addiction. Students will be assessed in a 2-hour written exam.

Links to other subjects

There is significant crossover with other main science subjects, religious studies and P.E

Links to HE courses and beyond

Medicine, law, psychiatry, counselling, business studies, sports science, forensic psychology, health science.

Student views on the course

“This is an extremely interesting A-Level subject. I didn’t know what to expect, as I had never studied Psychology before. It has opened up my understanding of how and why humans behave as they do and has taught me to appreciate the complexities of human mind.”

Academically, it is expected that students entering Birkdale’s Sixth Form will have achieved a minimum of 5 passes (9 to 5) at GCSE, with at least 4 at grade 6 or higher; we would expect 6 or higher GCSE grades in those subjects being studied to A level. A grade 6 is required to study A Level English and Mathematics, although a grade 7 is preferred in Mathematics. Prospective Further Mathematicians should achieve a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics although a grade 8 is preferred. In addition at Birkdale we look beyond the academic and would wish applicants to become fully involved in the life of the school, offering their skills and abilities in one or more of a number of areas (e.g. drama, sport, music, clubs and societies, etc).