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In Psychology you will look to answer questions such as:
College entry to include GCSE Mathematics minimum 5, Double Award GCSE Science minimum 4,4 and GCSE English Literature and Language at grade 4 (please refer to the Entry Requirements section for further details).
In paper one, you will study cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and psychopathology. This includes finding out about how memory works and how accurate memory is. You will study the impact of early childhood experiences on development and why people conform and obey in social situations, as well as learning about phobias, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. You will study the causes and treatments as well as how to carry out psychological research.
Topics on paper two include psychological approaches which look to explain why we behave the way we do, including the Biological, Cognitive and Behavioural approaches. Additionally you will learn how psychologists conduct their research, from the methods they use to how they analyse their data. You will also study biopsychology, which will include understanding the relationship between the brain and behaviour.
In the second year of the A level you will study topics such as schizophrenia and aggression, which includes determining different causes of aggression and how scizophrenia is diagnosed and treated
Psychology is very useful in any career that involves working with people, e.g. in social care, policing, or teaching. Many students continue to study Psychology at university which can lead to a variety of careers including clinical, educational, sport or forensic psychology.
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Our Elective Programme is designed to help you develop your gifts and interests as part of an enhanced level 3 programme. We will help you realise your potential by nurturing your talent and preparing you for study at the most prestigious universities or for progression to competitive higher-level apprenticeships. Your options range from our Honours Programme, which might include following a fourth A level, to specialist Futures Programmes that will support your career goals.
If you’re not quite ready to start on a Level 3 Technical course (T Levels) or a Vocational Level 3 course (BTEC) but want to begin on the path to your chosen career, the Transition Programme could be for you.
Transition Programmes are tailored to prepare students to move onto Technical or Vocational Level 3 study. They will give you the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, your work readiness skills and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts that you will need for future study and employment.
As part of the Transition Programme you will study a BTEC Level 2 Award in your chosen subject area as well as the BTEC Level 2 Extended Award in Work Skills. You will also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
Entry criteria for Transition Programmes is four grade 3s including grade 3s in English Language and Maths GCSE.