Psychology A Level

Applications Open: - 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th January 2026

How to Apply: - via Kent Choices

Entry Requirements: - Students must meet the following academic criteria:

(a) Applicants must achieve at least an average GCSE grade of 5.7 from eight subjects (this must include at least one modern foreign language, at least one science and at least one humanity).

(b) Applicants must also have GCSE Mathematics and at least one English GCSE at a minimum of grade 5.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants wishing to be accepted on to a particular subject must achieve the requirements set down for that particular course in the Sixth Form Curriculum booklet

https://mgs.kent.sch.uk/admission/sixth-form-entry/

All students study 4 A Levels in Year 12 (Choose 5 subjects on the application form, with the 5th being a reserve). It is important that students refer to the 6th Form Curriculum booklet to ensure that they choose their courses appropriately. (There is the option to drop one of these subjects at the end of Year 12 and undertake an EPQ).

We do not require applicants to write a Personal Statement.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): Alongside our extensive A level offering, students are offered the opportunity to gain an Extended Project Qualification (Level 3). This research based qualification is an ideal way to prepare ahead of further academic studies and / or the working world. Students are able to research, plan and realise a 5000 word study on a topic of their choosing. Topics are wide ranging. Many students choose to explore topics that either complement their interests and academic studies or create a bridge to future career aspirations, for example in law or medicine. An EPQ provides ideal content for CVs, university applications and is worth up to 28 UCAS points. Importantly, many universities will lower their offer to students studying an EPQ because they recognise the skills and expertise students gain from studying an EPQ.

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes. It will open your eyes to the world around you and help you to understand why we behave in the way we do. Why did the Nazis commit atrocities against the Jews? Can we enhance the powers of the brain? Are Freud’s ideas still relevant today? Is aggression more influenced by our genes or our environment? What influence do role models have on anorexia? How reliable is eyewitness testimony? Are criminals born or made? What are the causes of Schizophrenia?

You do not need to have studied Psychology before. The course involves some essay writing, science and statistics. You will put your psychological knowledge into action by conducting your own practical work in class. The full two-year A Level is assessed through three papers. Each paper is two hours long and 96 marks in total. Each paper is worth 33.3% of the final A Level mark.

All content in Paper One and Paper Two is compulsory.

Paper One – Introductory Topics in Psychology

This paper involves understanding the basic concepts in Psychology. Each section is worth 24 marks and all questions are compulsory. It consists of studies and theories in the following areas:

Section A: Social Influence

Section B: Memory

Section C: Attachment

Section D: Psychopathology

Paper Two – Psychology in Context

This paper involves understanding the different perspectives in Psychology and applying it to real life situations. Section A and B are worth 24 marks and Section C is worth 48 marks:

Section A: Approaches in Psychology

Section B: Biopsychology

Section C: Research Methods

Paper Three – Issues and Options in Psychology

Each section in this paper is worth 24 marks. Section A is compulsory, Section B, C and D contain three topics each and students select one topic from each:

Section A: Issues and Debates in Psychology

Section B: Relationships, Gender or Cognition and Development

Section C: Schizophrenia, Eating Behaviour or Stress

Section D: Aggression, Forensic Psychology or Addiction

Psychology is valuable for careers where dealing with people plays a key role, such as Business, Law, Medicine and Management and for Psychology specific careers (Clinical, Forensic, Sport, Health, Occupational and Educational). Psychology combines well with other Social Sciences, Humanities and Pure Sciences.

As above.

To study this course, you should have at least a Grade 6 in English and Maths and a Grade 6 in one of the Sciences at GCSE.

You could take this course to complement other Advanced Level courses such as another Science subject, 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. It will help you to develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for.