Psychology A level

A LEVEL AND LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATIONS

To gain a place on this course students will ideally have at least grade 4 in both English Language and Mathematics and at least three other GCSEs, or equivalent Level 2 qualifications, at grade 5 or above. Some subjects also have additional entry requirements.

All students are to choose 3 subjects from 3 different blocks. Further Mathematics may be taken as a fourth choice.

LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATIONS

Subjects have individual entry requirements.

Students only need to apply for either Bricklaying or Hairdressing.

PSYCHOLOGY

Like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, Psychology is a scientific discipline but unlike the natural sciences, Psychologists are interested in understanding why people behave the way they do. It is one of the “social sciences” at Springwood.

The A Level course will enable you to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of some of the core issues and debates in Psychology, through a range of interesting topics such as Social Influence, Attachment, Psychopathology, Forensic Psychology, Gender and Memory.

Psychology will encourage you to develop a deep, empathetic understanding of human behavior, and a critical awareness of how and why we become the people we are. It is a diverse subject, and many students choose to specialize in a particular branch of Psychology after their A Level studies.

Psychology will use a mixture of formal learning methods (e.g. note taking and essay writing) and less formal methods such as debating. Students will be expected to regularly write at length and present research findings to both teachers and students. We actively encourage Psychology students to watch the news and social/psychological documentaries to both consolidate and extend their learning, and on occasion such tasks may be set for homework.

Students will be encouraged to undertake additional reading tasks to enhance their knowledge and to improve their analysis and evaluation skills. Students will apply what they learn in the classroom to real life events to help them appreciate the real life value of studying Psychology and to ensure they get high marks for application and analysis in their assessments.

In June of Year 13, students will sit 3x 2 hour formal, externally assessed exams. Each paper is comprised of 4x 24 mark sections (48 marks for Research Methods in Paper 2) made up of multiple choice questions, short answer questions and extended writing (16 mark essays).

Paper One: Social Influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology

Total = 96 marks (33% of A Level)

Paper Two: Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology and Research Methods

Total = 96 marks (33% of A Level)

Paper Three: Issues and Debates in Psychology, Gender, Schizophrenia and Forensic

Total = 96 marks (33% of A Level)

Subject Specific Requirements

Grade 5 in Biology or Combined Science. Grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics.

Future Careers

Teaching, Social work, Probation, Clinical Psychologist, Criminal Psychologist, Police Force, Psychological Research, Forensic Psychology and the NHS.

Psychology provides students with transferrable skills that universities and employers favour such as critical awareness and understanding, evaluation, communication skills and advanced writing skills.