Psychology AS/A Level 3

Applications Open: - 13th October 2025

Applications Close: - 18th November 2025

How to Apply: - Please apply directly to the school via our website www.twggs.kent.sch.uk. Follow the route 'Joining TWGGS', 'Joining The Sixth Form' to complete your application on Applicaa. For enquiries please contact admissions@twggs.kent.sch.uk.

We don't accept applications through Kent Choices.

Entry Requirements: - Entrance Criteria

Pupils entering the Sixth Form will be expected to have attained an average overall GCSE point score of at least 6 from their top 6 subjects. They must also achieve a minimum of a grade 5 in either English Language or Mathematics and a grade 4 in the other of English Language or Mathematics, and are usually expected to achieve at least a grade 7 in the subjects they wish to pursue at A level (or related subjects, as agreed by the school). In addition, pupils wishing to take Art or Design Technology will be expected to submit a portfolio of artwork and pupils wishing to take Music will be expected to have reached at least Grade 5 in their instrument or voice.

Offers will be made on the basis of predicted performance at GCSE, with the requirement that the above grades are achieved in the final examinations prior to entry to the Sixth Form and the pupil’s 3 or 4 chosen subjects being accommodated on the timetable, with no group size exceeding its maximum number of pupils.

All offers made during Year 11 are conditional on pupils meeting the grade criteria specified and will only become firm offers upon confirmation of actual GCSE results.

Exam Board: AQA

Psychology is the scientific investigation of human behaviour and should appeal to those who are fascinated by discovering why people behave as they do. It is a strongly vocational subject with a wide variety of career options available: educational, occupational, forensic and clinical Psychology (child or adult specialism), as well as counselling, and laboratory and field based research of various kinds. A Psychology qualification may also be used to access a range of other employment fields such as management in business and industry, police, teaching, journalism and media, social work, and human resources. Psychology is a very popular degree course, and the A Level offers an excellent foundation to a wide range of topics and contemporary issues.

Psychology has been classified as a science, reflecting its strong research element, as well as the sophisticated statistical analysis developed in pupils throughout the A Level course.

A LEVEL EXAMINATION

PAPER 1 - 2 hour paper

Introductory Topics in Psychology: Social Influence, Memory and Attachment, Psychopathology:

This is a mix of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, each topic worth 24 marks (96 marks total). The introductory topics offer a range of fascinating explanations for everyday behaviours including Conformity and Obedience.

Pupils will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues in relation to the specified Paper 1 content and apply psychological knowledge to new situations.

PAPER 2 - 2 hour paper

Psychology in Context: Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology, Research Methods, Issues and Debates:

This paper includes the study of Biological Rhythms, such as those involved in sleeping, and draws on the important crossover between neuroscience and Psychology. The strong element of research methods includes opportunities for practical work, which enables pupils to carry out their own investigations. Assessment is a mix of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing.

PAPER 3 - 2 hour paper

Issues and Options in Psychology: Relationships, Schizophrenia, Forensics:

Topics such as why we choose certain relationships, symptoms and treatment of schizophrenia and explanations of offender behaviour are covered as well as learning competing psychological explanations. The course enables pupils to engage in contemporary issues and debates in psychology, such as including gender and culture, the role of animals in research, ethical issues, the nature/nurture debate, free will and determinism. Assessment is a mix of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing.

Various innovative teaching and learning methods are employed, including role-play to replicate famous psychological experiments, and detailed individual examination of the latest university based research to inform group presentations. There will be many opportunities for class discussion as well as assessment based on short answer and longer essay style questions. Pupils will have the opportunity to attend one conference per year in London, which costs approximately £20 plus travel. ‘Psychology Review’ magazines are available at a reduced rate subscription for pupils of approximately £14.

There is no coursework, and final assessment is by written examination.

*Also offered as an AS Level, spaces permitting

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. There is a wide variety of career options open to the Psychology pupil, such as: education, occupational therapy, forensics, clinical science, child psychology, counselling and research of various kinds. A Psychology qualification may also be used to access a range of other employment fields such as: management, police, teaching, journalism and media, social work, personnel and human resources. 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.