Psychology A Level

Applications Open - 20 November 2025 at 8am

Applications Close - 6 February 2026 at 15:00 (Except Beauty L2 which closes on the 22nd May).

General Entry Requirements:

Our level 3 Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grades 9-4 including Maths and English minimum Grade 4. However, please read the course information, which, provides specific details of course content and entry requirements.

For level 2 courses please read the course information.

Subjects: -

Level 3 - Enter your choices in order of preference for Level 3 courses. Students need to select the equivalent of 3 courses (Triple counts as 3), with 2 reserve options if selecting Level 3 courses. Year 12 are expected to study the equivalent of three subjects. Once we close to applicants on the 6 February the options selected will be reviewed and if required we will be in contact.

Level 2 - just add the course required, eg beauty, finance or fitness. However, please look up all entry requirements for individual subjects as some subjects require specific subjects and grades.

Timetable Blocks- Please read carefully: Level 3 Courses Please select 3 subjects and 2 reserve subjects by placing them in a ranked order/ or a Pathway. Once applications close we will review all subjects requested and may be in contact at this time to discuss your chosen subjects further.

Additional optional qualifications such as Arts Award (Gold),Core Maths, Further Maths and the EPQ are not applied for at the Kent Choice stage further information will be provided in the 6th Form induction if you would like to undertake this course in addition to your core qualifications.

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices or through link on our website https://www.hernebayhigh.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply

Further Information: We reserve the right to withdraw courses if insufficient numbers are attracted.

Any queries, please contact 6form@hernebayhigh.org

Psychology is a popular subject choice and involves an exploration of the human mind and behaviour, for example mental disorders, criminal behaviour and addiction. We are interested in why human beings behave the way they do, and the link between the brain and behaviour.

There are a range of perspectives regarding how human behaviour is explained; including the biological approach that states that we are determined by our genetics and inherited traits, which we have from birth. For instance, they would explain aggression in terms of hormones or “the warrior gene” (a gene that predisposes an individual to be aggressive, if it is activated).

We encourage students to have an open mind when studying Psychology due to the sensitive nature of some of the topics, and to motivate them to look at behaviour from a variety of viewpoints. Psychology is a scientific subject, so students are also encouraged to develop their skills in this area by completing two personal investigations at the end of Year 12 and carrying out wider reading of scientific journal articles.

Paper 1 – Psychology: Past to Present; 2 ¼ hour written exam

Paper 2 – Psychology: Investigating behaviour; 2 ¼ hour written exam

Paper 3 – Psychology: Implications in the real world; 2 ¼ hour written exam

2 Year Course - Normally 5 GCSE Grades in the range of 9-4, including Maths, English, Science, minimum Grade 4.

Prospective students must be willing to undertake reading & research in their own time. In addition, students will need to develop their essay writing skills and will regularly complete extended writing tasks in exam conditions.

You could take this course to complement other advanced level courses such as a science or to prepare for the A2 part of an Advanced GCE in Psychology, which could lead you onto higher education to study Psychology or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Psychology and people such as a Counsellor, Nurse or Psychologist. You could also go straight into a job as the AS GCE is a recognised qualification that will help you develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for. You could take this course with other advanced level courses such as a science or one of the humanities to prepare for higher education in Psychology or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Psychology and people such as a Counsellor, Nurse or Psychologist. You could also specialise in a particular area of Psychology such as education or mental health depending on the area that interests you. You could take this course with other advanced level courses such as a science or one of the humanities to prepare for higher education in Psychology or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Psychology and people such as a Counsellor, Nurse or Psychologist. You could also specialise in a particular area of Psychology such as education or mental health depending on the area that interests you.