Psychology - A Level

This qualification offers an engaging and effective introduction to Psychology. Students will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by Higher Education (HE) and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and research.

This Psychology course provides students with a sound understanding of the various methods and approaches found in modern psychology.

At each level, current approaches and understanding of psychology will be illustrated through the core perspectives of social, cognitive, developmental, biological, psychodynamic and humanistic psychology. Research methods used in Psychology also contributes to a third of the grade.

Course Content

Popular topics covered within this qualification include:

• Approaches and methods related to the core areas of Psychology (including cognitive, social, biological, developmental, individual differences and research methods) are all retained and delivered through content similar to the previous specifications

• Explanations from different approaches, along with psychological issues and debates, are retained

• A Level students can choose from a range of attractive topic options which have been arranged to help teachers to teach to their strengths and at the same time ensure that their students experience an interesting, diverse and coherent course of study, regardless of which topics they choose.

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Assessment

There are 3 examinations with each examination worth a third of the course. All examinations are taken in the May/June of Year 13. There are three examination papers as seen below:

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (2 hour examination)

This paper looks at a range of psychological concepts including the effects of social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology.

Paper 2: Psychology in Context (2 hour examination)

For this paper, students are required to look at a range of approaches to psychology, research methods and the scientific process behind psychology

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology (2 hour examination)

This paper focuses on a range of various issues and debates within psychology. Students will prepare on several key areas which may include: relationships, stress, Schizophrenia

Progression

After completing the A Level Psychology course here at Meopham School there are a huge array of courses which you could study at University, such as;

Kings College London - Psychology BSc
Birmingham University - Psychology BSc
Aberystwyth University - Psychology (with integrated year in industry)
Aberystwyth University - Psychology and Education
University of Brighton - Psychology and Criminology

A psychology degree is a great starting point for a career in both science and the arts, as it equips you with a range of skills and opens up opportunities with a variety of employers.

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

Clinical psychologist
Counselling psychologist
Educational psychologist
Forensic psychologist
Further education teacher
Health psychologist
High intensity therapist
Occupational psychologist
Psychological wellbeing practitioner
Sport and exercise psychologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Advice worker
Border Force officer
Careers adviser
Chaplain
Counsellor
Detective
Education consultant
Human resources officer
Life coach
Market researcher
Mediator
Neuroscientist
Play therapist
Policy officer
Psychotherapist
Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)

Although some Psychology graduates become professional psychologists, many go on to work in related fields. A degree in psychology provides a useful foundation for a range of careers and employers. Major employers of psychology graduates include:

Commercial and industrial companies
Financial organisations
Human resources departments
Local and national government
Marketing companies
The media
The NHS
Police forces, the National Probation Service and prisons
Schools, sixth form colleges and colleges of further education
Social Services.

Entry Requirements

In order to attend Meopham Sixth Form the minimum entry requirement is 5 level 4 GCSEs, including English and Maths.