Psychology GCE A Level

Psychology GCE A Level

Qualification: AS/A2 - 2 year course

Course type: Level 3 (advanced)

Entry requirements:
4 x GCSE B grades. It would help if you have passes in Science and English. There are scientific concepts in Psychology, but you are being assessed on your writing skills. But this is not a requirement, and every applicant is considered on their merits.

Head of Department: Mr Rob Liddle

Course assessment:
Assessment is by exams only. You will sit 2 exams in the AS year and 2 in the A2 year, one for each of the course modules. There is no assessed coursework as such, but you will get the opportunity to carry out some practical activities. Of course you will have regular homework. The type of work this involves will vary, and will include presentations, independent research, multiple choice and other types of objective tests, for example. But there will be a major emphasis on practice at answering actual exam questions.

What can this course offer me?
People like to study Psychology because it gives them the chance to learn more about the mind, to understand why people behave the way they do, and perhaps to prepare for a career in Psychology. This course will help you to develop an awareness of human behaviour, including your own. Because Psychology is a practical subject, the course will introduce you to techniques for studying human behaviour and methods of analysing research findings. It will allow you to think about human (and sometimes animal) behaviour in a critical, analytical and evaluative way. Forget Big Brother - this is the real deal! Is there anybody who is NOT interested in understanding how and why people behave the way they do? But understanding behaviour is not an easy option, so you owe it to yourself to think carefully. Ask yourself: Can I tackle the difficult and sometimes scientific concepts that Psychology uses? Am I willing to work hard on my essay-writing skills? Can I learn to think in a critical, analytical and evaluative way?

What will I learn?
Here are just a few of the questions the Psychology course will answer: How reliable are eyewitnesses to a crime or accident? Why do people obey and conform? What is stress, and how can it be overcome? Why do people become mentally ill and how can they be helped? What is "normal" behaviour anyway? How have psychologists studied human behaviour and how do they come to their conclusions? Can psychologists help the police to solve crimes? Does hypnosis exist - what is it? Is it different from sleep? What is happening to us when we dream?

Chances are you've probably asked yourself some of these questions. Well, now you can get some answers by studying the subject to A-Level standard. Psychology is taught using a variety of methods including: Whole Class teaching; Group discussion; Collecting and analysing data; Independent research; Taking part in research conducted by university students; Attending conferences to listen to well-known psychologists; Observing animal behaviour at Chester Zoo.

What Makes a good Psychology student?
We like our students to have a curiosity about human behaviour, and to be prepared to work hard to understand Psychology. Your teachers are passionate about their subject - we hope that, in time, you will be too.

Which other courses link well with this subject?
Psychology is about skills as much as it is about content, so it combines well with just about any other subject, because the skills you will be developing and using are similar. Consider taking subjects you know you are good at and that you will enjoy.

Future Opportunities
If you are already considering going into higher education to do a Psychology degree, A-Level Psychology is not required but will obviously be a great help. It will give you the opportunity to experience at first hand the sort of knowledge, understanding, skills and methods that you will develop further at University. Perhaps you are also thinking about a career in a Psychology profession such as Educational, Clinical, Occupational or Forensic Psychology. As you study Psychology at A-Level, you will have the opportunity to find out more about these careers, but a Psychology degree is the starting point for all of them. A-Level Psychology combines well with biological sciences and social sciences and would be well worth considering for any kind of career where understanding behaviour is helpful. This would include medicine, teaching, social work, business and management, the Law, the Services, the Therapies, and more besides.

Is there anything else I need to know?
Forensic Psychology is an interesting and very popular topic on the A2 course, and gives us the opportunity to attend a conference at the Centre for Investigative and Forensic Psychology at Liverpool University, led by the world's foremost investigative psychologist, Professor David Canter. This year, we had the honour of having Professor Canter visit us, and we hope to repeat this during your time at the College.