Why study Psychology?

A Level Psychology is an engaging and versatile subject that explores the science of human thought, emotion, and behaviour. It is ideal for students who are curious about why people think, feel, and act the way they do, and who enjoy analysing evidence, understanding patterns, and evaluating different perspectives. Psychology combines scientific rigour with real-world relevance, helping students develop critical thinking and research skills that are valuable in many aspects of life.

Studying Psychology teaches students how to design, conduct, and interpret research, providing strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. You will learn to evaluate theories, analyse data, and consider ethical issues, developing skills that are highly valued by universities and employers. Psychology also encourages reflective thinking, empathy, and understanding of human behaviour, which are useful in everyday interactions and professional contexts.

A Level Psychology is particularly useful for careers in health and social care, including clinical psychology, counselling, social work, and nursing. It also supports pathways into law, education, business, marketing, and human resources. Even for students unsure of their future direction, Psychology provides transferable skills and insights into human behaviour that are widely applicable. Challenging yet rewarding, A Level Psychology fosters curiosity, intellectual growth, and a deep understanding of what makes people tick, preparing students for both higher education and diverse career opportunities.

What will I study over the two years?

You will study a huge range of topics that will give you an insight into the many ways that psychologists explain behaviour. This will include Memory, Social Influence, Psychopathology, Attachment, Biopsychology, Aggression, Gender, Eating Behaviour as well as giving you an understanding of how psychologists study behaviour in Research Methods.

• Social Influence: Explores conformity, obedience and resistance to social influence
• Memory: Covers models of memory, forgetting, and eyewitness testimony
• Attachment: Investigates attachment theories and their impact on development
• Psychopathology: Examines definitions of abnormality and psychological disorders like phobias, depression and OCD
• Approaches in Psychology: Discusses various psychological perspectives, including biological, cognitive, and behavioural approaches
• Biopsychology: Focuses on the nervous system, brain structure, and the endocrine system
• Research Methods: Covers experimental designs, data analysis, and ethical considerations in psychological research
• Issues and Debates: Addresses topics like gender bias, free will vs. determinism, and ethical issues in research
• Gender
• Eating Behaviour
• Aggression

The structure of the course into these discrete topics provides a thorough understanding of psychological concepts, research methodologies, and real-world applications.

What makes a good Psychology student?

A good A Level Psychology student is curious about human behaviour, motivated to explore theories, and enjoys analysing evidence. They think critically, evaluate different perspectives, and are open-minded when considering research findings. Strong organisation and independent study skills help them manage complex content, while attention to detail is important for understanding research methods and data analysis. Enthusiasm, perseverance, and reflective thinking allow them to engage deeply with both theory and practical applications. A good psychologist can bring together the contrasting skills of analysing evidence with an ability to communicate ideas both verbally and in written format.

Where could Psychology take me?

The great thing about psychology is that the skills and knowledge it gives you can be applied to a huge range of careers. An A Level in Psychology provides a strong foundation for a wide range of university courses and careers. Employers value psychology as it gives you an understanding of human behaviour. It is particularly useful for health and social care fields, including clinical psychology, counselling, nursing, and social work. It also supports pathways into education, law, business, marketing, and human resources due to its focus on understanding human behaviour. The subject develops critical thinking, research, and analytical skills, making students well-prepared for both higher education and diverse professional opportunities.

How will I be assessed?

What are the entrance requirements?

• 2 x Grade 6 or above in Science
• 5 or more grades 5-9; including equivalents across at least 5 subjects
• Maths and English Language Grade 6 or above
• Average GCSE GRADE of at least 4.75 (average of ALL GCSE full courses taken)

If you have any questions about our Psychology A Level please email Mr Swales jswales@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk, who would be very happy to answer any questions.