AS/A Level Psychology
A Level
In Guisborough
Description
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Type
A Level
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Location
Guisborough
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Duration
2 Years
Important information
Government funding available
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
To enrol on this course you will need to have met the standard college entry requirements of five GCSEs grade C or above, including a grade C or above in English, Maths and Science.
Reviews
Course programme
AS/A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
Psychology is the science of mind and behaviour and it is a subject that goes well with a wide range of others. Students who enjoy psychology are those who have an enquiring mind and an interest in explaining peoples behaviour.
WHY SHOULD I STUDY PSYCHOLOGY?
You should consider psychology if you are interested in the process of science but also like to see things from a variety of angles. There is often no correct answer so you need to be prepared to argue your case.
USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
It is important that you are prepared to read around the subjects being studied in the classroom. This means articles in quality newspapers and magazines, as well as books. Up to date research can be found on the internet so you need to be able to select what you want from the range that is available.
COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
Students will take two units in first year (AS) and another two in the second (A2 year). The OCR specification will consist of a smaller unit (30%) on Psychological Investigations, studying Research Methods, which we hope to enter students for in the January exam session of the AS year, and a larger module (70%) consisting of three studies from each of the five areas below, making 15 core studies in all. In A2 two option topics in Applied Psychology are taught, Forensic Psychology and Health and Clinical Psychology.
Research Methods: This looks at how psychologists carry out research using techniques such as experiments, observations, correlations and self-reports. This will involve students taking active involvement in small research projects.
Cognitive Psychology: This involves areas such as how we see and interpret information from the world, including how we remember events or information.
Developmental Psychology: Are early experiences important to children? Do children think differently from adults?
Physiological Psychology: How does our biology, e.g. brain, nervous system and hormones, affect our thoughts and feelings?
Social Psychology: Do others, like family and friends, influence our behaviour?
Individual differences: We are all different, so where do we draw the line between what behaviours are normal, or acceptable, and those that are not?
Upon successful completion of the first year of the course you may decide to progress to the second year and complete the full A-level. Your teachers will give advice and support in this.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
There will be no teacher-marked coursework counting towards the final exam mark. However students will still do hands-on investigations and these will help prepare them for a research methods part of the exam. All assessment will be examination based.
COURSE COMMITMENT
If you choose to study Psychology you will need to be prepared to carry out your own research, both practical and theory, outside the classroom. Any practical work you do will be conducted according to the British Psychological Societys guidelines.
COURSE COSTS
You may wish to buy a revision guide and/or workbooks to support your studies. These cost between 3 and 5. There may be opportunities for you to attend student conferences. These cost around 20-25 including transport. You will be provided with a textbook.
PROGRESSION ROUTES
Related careers include clinical, educational, occupational and forensic psychology as well as teaching, business and the health professions. Psychology is useful in any career that deals with people.
PSYCHOLOGY USE OF STATISTICS
If you decide to take Psychology at A-level, with a view to continuing at university, you may benefit from taking a support course that we offer, called "
Use of Statistics". It is AS standard, but only one unit is taken over the year, rather than three. It does attract UCAS points towards your university application and is 50% coursework with one exam in May. Students also benefit in Psychology exams as questions involve research methods and analysis of data. We decided to offer this course because some students' university applications have been rejected in the past few years if they have only grade C in Maths at GCSE. This reflects the fact that Psychology degree courses involve research in which a great deal of data has to be analysed statistically. Ask about this course at your interview, or at enrolment.
AS/A Level Psychology