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A Level Psychology

Course outline

Why do people do the things they do, or think the way they think? How do our brains work and what influence does our environment have on our behaviour?

Studying psychology will give you an amazing insight into the human mind, you’ll conduct research, discuss and debate the big issues with your fellow classmates and discover the work of the great pioneers in the field.

This course is perfect if you want to find out more about the link between people’s behaviour and their environment and enjoy carrying out investigations to look for patterns in behaviour.

Topics include:

  • Social Influence
  • Attachment
  • Memory
  • Psychopathology
  • Approaches
  • Biopsychology
  • Research Methods
  • Issues and Debates
  • Gender
  • Aggression
  • Stress

You will be provided with a login to the Illuminate digital bundle which is the textbook online but with additional applications such as quizzes, extension work and exam style questions. There are a range of online lectures known as Psych Boost which you are encouraged to use as part of your independent study. The department produces a workbook - plus additional worksheets - for each topic for students to follow and complete. The library also subscribes to Psychology Review.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Subjects commonly studied alongside Psychology include: Sociology, Biology, PE, Philosophy and Business.

How to enrol onto this course

It is no longer possible to apply to join the course this academic year.

You will be able to apply online for 2024/25 soon.

Want to find out more first?

Get in touch by hitting the button below and filling out our enquiry form.

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Qualification

AQA A Level Psychology
Duration

A Level: 2 years

A Level Intensive: 1 year

Level Level 3
Entry requirements

2 year A Level Programme:

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including at least two at grade 5 one of which must be GCSE English Language and a grade 4 from Maths and any Science.
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-6 including at least two at grade 5 one of which must be GCSE English Language and a grade 4 from Maths and any Science.
  • We do not accept GCSE Psychology as part of the entry requirements.

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

1 year Intensive A Level Programme:

  • Two full A Levels at grade C or above
  • Five or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language and Maths
  • At least two grade 5s one of which must be GCSE English Language and a grade 4 from Maths and any Science
  • We do not accept GCSE Psychology as part of the entry requirements.
  • Complete a successful interview

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.

Teaching & assessment

There are three exams each lasting two hours, consisting of a combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing.

The three assessment objectives are:

  • Knowledge and Understanding
  • Application
  • Evaluation
Progression

A high proportion of our students progress on to study Psychology at university. Other popular progression routes include criminology, nursing, sport or business.
Additional information

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.