Psychology AS and A Level

Is this subject right for me?
Psychology is the study of human experience and behaviour. It tries to help you understand both your own and others' behaviour. If you have ever wondered why you feel stressed out, forget important information, laugh at jokes you don't understand, then psychology can provide you with answers. This subject combines well with both the arts and science subjects and encourages students to analyse the world around them.

What is the course content?
AS Level (Year 1)
At AS, candidates will develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the core areas of psychology (social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences) through a range of topics, chosen for their accessibility and popularity.
The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods
Topic list

• Cognitive psychology, including memory and eyewitness testimony
  
• Developmental psychology, including early social development, attachment and the effects of day care
  
• Research methods, in the context of the topic areas.

Assessment
Written Paper : 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total AS; 25% of total A level marks

Structured compulsory questions based on Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods.
Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12 mark question
requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.

Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences

Topic list

• Biological psychology, including stress, factors affecting stress, coping with stress and managing stress
• Social psychology, including majority and minority influence, obedience and independent behaviour
  
• Individual differences, including definitions of abnormality, approaches and therapies.

Assessment
Written Paper : 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total AS; 25% of total A level marks

Three compulsory structured questions; one based on Biological Psychology content, one based on Social Psychology content and one based on the Individual Differences content.
Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12 or more mark question requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.

A Level (Year 2)
The specification offers a range of topic-based options which bring together explanations from different psychological approaches and engage students in issues and debates in Psychology. The A level specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Topics in Psychology

Topic list

• Biological rhythms and sleep

Assessment
Written Paper : 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 25% of total A level marks

Three essay-style question chosen from eight topics. QWC will be assessed in each essay.

Unit 4: Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods

Topic list

• The Psychology of Addiction
  
• Depression
  
• Debates in Psychology
  
• Methods in Psychology, Inferential Statistics, Issues in Research
  

Assessment
Written Paper : 2 hours
Weighting: 25% of total A level marks
Three sections: Psychotherapy - one essay-style question chosen from three. QWC will be assessed in this essay. Psychology in Action: One question chosen from three.
Research methods: one compulsory structured question.

What are the entry requirements?
The general entry requirements for studying at advanced level apply but in addition include a minimum of grade C in English with a grade C in Maths strongly advised.