A Level Psychology
If you are interested in people and curious to explore reasons for their behaviour, then this is the course for you. Successful Psychology students are scientists and apply objective research methods to answer fundamental questions about human beings.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
Successful Psychology students have an appetite for understanding how scientific principles can be applied to human behaviour and high achieving Psychology students develop analytical and problem-solving skills, have a keen eye for detail and enjoy using evidence to develop academic arguments. Alongside psychological concepts and theories you will acquire desirable soft skills such as communication, team working and relationship building, and specific competences in data collection, statistical analysis and report writing. Psychology is unique in that it fits well with a wide range of other subjects from the Arts and Sciences.
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Start date: 08/09/2025
TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
fascinating topics
research and science led
online bespoke resources
opens up various career pathways
Lots of ongoing support
The A level Psychology team will offer you lots of ongoing support to help you achieve your potential both in class, via one to one termly reviews and online bespoke resources.
virtual learning environment
Our virtual learning environment covers every topic in detail and offers different types of resources from lecture notes, to videos and short quizzes. Online textbooks are also provided.
Careers Programme
Throughout the academic year guest speakers from psychology related professions deliver talks about their careers, voluntary work opportunities and workshops targeted at developing the skills and knowledge required to pursue a psychology related career.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
A Level Psychology comprises 3 broad areas, each examined in three 2 hour papers (there is no coursework). Paper 1 covers introductory topics namely: Social Influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology (OCD, Depression and Phobias). In Paper 2, you study a range of perspectives on human behaviour including Behaviourism and the Psychodynamic approach. You also study the brain and its influence on behaviour in biopsychology and research methods. Paper 3 comprises philosophical debates such as nature/nurture and issues with research such as culture and gender bias. You also study three topics in detail: Schizophrenia, Forensic Psychology and Gender.
WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?
Whatever your career path, from Medicine to Law, Media to Business, Sport to Teaching or Criminology, Psychology provides you with an excellent foundation and a host of transferable skills essential for the modern world of work. Psychology is a valuable Social Science A Level providing a background for various employment opportunities including HR, marketing, teaching and health and social care.
Further training and experience beyond degree level is required for professions such as Clinical or Forensic Psychology. Visit the British Psychological Society’s website for information.
ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Your achievement in this subject is dependent upon excellent attendance, punctuality and effort. We encourage all students to read widely around topics and to stay up to date with current research, especially those who wish to study Psychology at degree level and individual subject teachers will point students towards good quality websites and textbooks. We will also offer opportunities to conduct independent research to develop essential research skills.
You will be supported in your learning with 2 formal personal performance reviews (before and after Xmas) and ongoing supportive 1:1 sessions with your tutor as and when needed. You will also undertake mock examinations on each unit in advance of your final exams so that you can practice exam skills and track your progress and identify strengths and areas to improve on.
To help keep you on track and achieve your potential, your progress will be reviewed regularly by your subject teacher and tutor. Examples of assessment methods include practice questions conducted either as homework or under timed conditions. You also will be assessed regularly on linguistic terminology as learning the language of Psychology is a vital part of the course.
Discussions and mini research projects are also an essential part of the learning process and you will be expected to contribute to those in groups and individually.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including Physics, Chemistry, or Biology Grade 5 or Combined Science Grades 55, English Grade 6 or a Humanities subject Grade 6, and Maths Grade 5. Students should be confident readers, able to write fluently and have good factual recall.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you would like further information about the Psychology course, please contact Claire Tarrington clairetarrington@truro-penwith.ac.uk
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