Psychology AS / A Level

PSYCHOLOGY AS / A LEVEL
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. From September 2008, we will be offering OCR Modular Psychology (2 year course). Psychology forms the first year of the course, followed by the A2 level.

What and how will I be studying? AS - Year 1

Unit 1 Psychological Investigations

• You will learn how to carry out psychological investigations using self-reports, experiments, observations and correlations. This unit will be examined in a 1hr written paper taken in January.
  

Unit 2 Core Studies

• This unit aims to give students a broad understanding of psychology by focusing on 15 key studies across the five main approaches: cognitive, social, developmental, physiological and individual differences. For example, in cognitive psychology you will learn about memory and language, whereas in physiological psychology you will learn about the effects of split brain surgery and REM sleep. This unit will be examined in a 2hr exam in June.
  

A2 - Year 2

Unit 3 Psychology Options

• We will study 2 options, from a choice of 4, which are Forensic psychology and Health and Clinical psychology. This unit will be examined in a 1.5hr written paper taken in June.
  

Unit 4 Approaches and Research Methods:

• Section A will focus on how to design a practical project.
  
• Section B will test your synoptic understanding across all of the units, as well as issues and debates in psychology.
  

A variety of learning styles are used, such as group discussions, small group tasks, student presentations, lectures and note taking, reading, practical investigations and activities, internet searches and worksheets. You will also get the opportunity to do your own research for the Research methods topic.

What skills will I need and be developing during the course?
Psychology is a demanding science so you will need to be interested in learning about human behaviour and be willing to put in the time and effort needed to do well in psychology. During the course you will acquire a knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts and principles, with particular emphasis on the application of this knowledge and these principles to everyday life. General skills that you will develop during the course include oral and written communication, analysis and evaluation, numeracy and IT.

How is the Course assessed? AS - Year 1
To get an AS qualification in Psychology you must pass units 1 and 2. Both units are examined in written assessments taken in January and June. It is possible to re-sit the units, but it is obviously better to work hard and pass them the first time.

A2 - Year 2
To get an A level qualification in Psychology you must pass the AS course, as well as units 3 and 4 at A2. These two units are also examined in written assessments taken in January and June.

In order to prepare you for the end of unit tests you will be given revision exercises, including timed essays, worksheets, quizzes and practice on exam technique. Most of these will be marked by your tutor and although they do not form part of your formal assessment, they are essential for the development of your knowledge and skills in psychology, prior to the unit tests.

What career opportunities are there?
Psychologists are probably best known for their work in health or education, but people with psychology qualifications can be found in almost any walk of life. A level Psychology can help you on the way to various career paths eg.

• Careers following a degree in psychology: most of these careers require a year or two of specialist training after the degree eg. clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, health psychologist, occupational psychologist, speech therapist, psychotherapist, sports psychologist, teachers of special needs, teachers of psychology.
  
• Careers following other degrees: A/AS psychology are accepted for university entrance to a wide variety of other degree courses, or straight into full-time employment. This can lead on to many different careers eg. police, sales, personnel, administration, marketing, market research, nursing, journalism, management and accountancy training.
  

...and what else?
We usually offer trips to conferences arranged by examining and other relevant organisations, occasional visiting speakers. For example, one popular annual conference on crime has given our students the opportunity to question ex-criminals about their experiences.

Entry Requirement
No, although to do well in psychology you should have GCSE Maths, English Language and Science, or Biology, at C grade or above. Psychology has recently been given re-classified as a science, as the subject has become more scientific, using scientific methods and developing strong biological links. You are not expected to have studied psychology before, just to have an interest in how the mind works and why people behave in the ways that they do.