Psychology A Level

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - To be confirmed

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4 - Some requirements vary slightly dependent on course.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Applica here

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and the mind. This engaging and thought-provoking course explores how people think, feel, and act in a wide range of situations. Students examine key psychological approaches and topics such as memory, attachment, social influence, psychopathology, and research methods. In Year 13, the course builds on these foundations to explore issues and debates in psychology, as well as applied areas such as schizophrenia, forensic psychology, and relationships.

Through experiments, case studies, and data analysis, learners develop strong analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills that are highly valued in higher education and a wide range of careers including mental health, education, law, business, and public services.

Year 12 (Paper 1 & 2 foundations):

Social Influence – conformity, obedience, resistance to social influence, minority influence.

Memory – models of memory, forgetting, eyewitness testimony.

Attachment – caregiver–infant interactions, animal studies, theories of attachment, deprivation.

Psychopathology – definitions of abnormality, explanations and treatments for phobias, depression, OCD.

Approaches in Psychology – origins of psychology, major approaches (behavioural, cognitive, biological, psychodynamic, humanistic).

Research Methods – experimental design, data handling, ethics, validity, reliability.

Year 13 (Paper 2 & 3 extensions):

Biopsychology – nervous system, endocrine system, brain functions, biological rhythms.

Issues and Debates – gender and culture bias, free will vs determinism, nature vs nurture, reductionism, ethics.

Optional Topics (chosen by centre) – typically includes:

Relationships

Schizophrenia

Forensic Psychology

3 written exams (2 hours each), equally weighted (Paper 1, 2, and 3).

Each paper includes multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended writing questions assessing knowledge, application, and evaluation.

Entry Requirements

Five Grades 9 to 5 at GCSE including Grade 4 in English.