Psychology

Course summary

Psychology aims to provide a broad, balanced and challenging introduction to a wide range of psychological theory, research and application. As a science subject, psychology aims to provide opportunities to develop skills of analysis, interpretation and evaluation of psychological research evidence; encouraging students to challenge their thinking when designing and conducting their practical investigations. Examples of topics covered in Year 12 include research methods, social responses to people in authority and people in need, memory and attention, external factors influencing children’s behaviour and moral development, regions of the brain and brain plasticity and understanding and measuring individual differences. Examples of topics covered in Year 13 include psychopathology and criminal psychology, plus one other from child psychology, environmental psychology or sport and exercise psychology. A-level Psychology is a versatile subject, and studying it will give you a variety of transferable skills which will be useful whether you go on to higher education, or straight into the “world of work”. On completing A-level Psychology, you will have acquired the skills to be able to problem solve and reason scientifically to consider alternative approaches and solutions, comprehend and use data confidently by understanding, analysing and presenting complex ideas, make critical judgements and evaluations to gain different perspectives on a variety of issues, be sensitive to contextual and interpersonal factors, including behaviour and social interaction, retrieve and organise information successfully, engage in effective teamwork, and plan and manage your own time and space to become more independent. Psychology students can go into a vast array of careers which are both directly and indirectly related to this subject. Typical fields include business and management, clinical psychology, counselling, educational psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, healthcare, medicine, mental health work, occupational psychology, policing, politics, psychology, psychotherapy, sales and marketing, sports psychology and teaching.