BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology -IBCP

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology, is an Applied General qualification for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the applied psychology sector. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level and it has been designed as one third of a typical study programme, normally alongside other applied general qualifications at Level 3. No prior study of the sector is needed but you should normally have a range of achievement in GCSEs, including a GCSE in science.

The qualification provides the knowledge, understanding and skills that will prepare students for further study or training. Everyone taking this qualification will study three mandatory units, covering the following content areas:

• applications of psychological approaches

• conducting psychological research

• health psychology.

The mandatory content allows development of knowledge and understanding of psychology, as well as the application of skills that are important in psychology, over an extended period.

Students choose one optional unit, which has been designed to support progression to more specialist applied psychology courses in higher education and to link with relevant occupational areas, such as:

• criminal and forensic psychology

• principles of children’s psychological development

• psychopathology and treatment

• applied sport psychology.