Psychology A Level

Applications open: 10 November 2025

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Psychology is the study of human behaviour and the mind, and by studying psychology you will learn why we behave in particular ways, as well as how to study human behaviour. The course is designed to help you develop an understanding of the different approaches to explaining behaviour, as well as how these approaches investigate behaviour.

Through studying psychology you will develop your evaluation and critical thinking skills as you analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different explanations for behaviour. All of the work is underpinned by an understanding of how science works, and an appreciation of how research is carried out with human participants.

You will study a total of 11 topics over the 2 years. These include topics such as social influence, memory, biopsychology, psychopathology and attachment. There are also optional topics to be studies which include topics such as eating behaviour, gender, schizophrenia and forensic psychology.

In total you will study 11 topics, across 3 areas of Psychology

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology

 Social influence

 Memory

 Attachment

 Psychopathology

Paper 2: Psychology in Context

 Approaches in Psychology

 Biopsychology

 Research Methods

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology

 Issues and debates

 3 x Optional topics

Optional topics:

Gender, Cognition and Development, Relationships, Eating behaviour, Schizophrenia, Aggression, Forensic Psychology, Stress and Addiction

We study the AQA Specification and further information can be obtained from the AQA website.

Grade 5-9 in GCSE English and Grade 4-9 in GCSE Maths and Science and 5-9 in GCSE Psychology (if taken)

Since Psychology is the study of people, there are links to many careers. For example: policing and the law, education, health service, social work or counselling just to name a few.

Psychology compliments many other option subjects such as, sociology, health and social care, biology and philosophy.