BTEC National Extended Certificate in
Applied Psychology
Entry Requirements
GCSE Science Grade 4 or Higher (Combined Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel
Why Study Applied Psychology?
The Extended Certificate in Psychology is the study of the relationship between behaviour, performance and mental processes. Applied psychology is the application of this knowledge in order to understand events, treat mental health issues, improve sporting performance, and understand how children develop and how to treat criminals. There is a wide range of possible employment opportunities following further study at degree level. It is equivalent to one A Level.
What Topics Will I Study?
Everyone taking this qualification will study three mandatory units, covering the following content areas:
Applications of psychological approaches
Conducting psychological research
Health psychology
The mandatory content allows you to concentrate on the development of your knowledge and understanding of psychology, as well as the application of skills that are important in psychology, over an extended period. You will choose one optional unit, which has been designed to support progression to more specialist applied psychology courses in higher education and to link with relevant occupational areas, such as:
Criminal and forensic psychology
Principles of children’s psychological development
Psychopathology and treatment
Applied sports psychology
How Will I Be Assessed?
Two of the three core units are externally assessed. This will include a form of controlled assessment and a written exam. The mandatory content is (83%) of the course and the external assessment is (58%).
The remaining units internally assessed at RR6 and graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. Students who achieve all Distinctions in all their units receive an overall grade of Distinction+.
An Example of the Type of Work Involved
Learners will explore four key approaches in psychology – social, cognitive, learning and biological – and apply these approaches to issues relevant to contemporary society.
What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?
When combined with other qualifications within a two-year study programme, such as A levels or other BTECs you can progress into higher education, such as a:
BSc (Hons) in Occupational Health
BSc in Education and Child Psychology
BSc (Hons) in Sport Psychology
BSc in Forensic and Criminal Psychology.
In addition to the applied psychology sector-specific content outlined above, the requirements of the qualification mean that you will develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are highly regarded by higher education and employers – for example, communication skills, team working and an opportunity to concentrate over an extended period on your research and investigative techniques – a key skill needed for you to progress successfully into higher education, employment or self-employment.
Other Opportunities Available Whilst Studying this Course
You will be taught by a range of teachers with different specialities. You may also have the opportunity to be visited by trained psychologists.
Conformity
Recent RR6 Alumni in this subject include:
Class of 2022 examples:
St George's, University of London studying Occupational Therapy
Brunel University London studying Psychology with placement year
Royal Holloway, University of London studying Criminology and Psychology
Kingston University studying Forensic Psychology
Solent University Southampton studying Sport and exercise Psychology
University of Roehampton studying Psychology and Criminal Justice
University of Exeter, University of Greenwich and University of Northampton studying Law
Birmingham City University studying Adult Nursing
University of Greenwich studying Midwifery
Nottingham Trent University studying Primary Education (QTS)
Nottingham Trent University studying Criminology
Royal Holloway, University of London studying Business and Management
University of Roehampton studying Zoology
University of Suffolk studying Diagnostic Radiography
Four students at University of Surrey studying International Business Management, Business Economics, Business Management, Business Management (Marketing)
Bath Spa University studying Acting for Screen
Previous Alumni have gone on to, for example :
Psychology at Surrey, Westminster & Kingston Universities
Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University
Biomedical Science at St George's University London & Kingston University
Psychology and Criminology at University of Brighton
Law at City University London & Lancaster University
Law with Criminology at University of Sussex & University of Surrey
Sport and Exercise Science at Oxford Brookes University
Football Business and Marketing at UCFB
Accounting with Finance at University of Portsmouth
Business Management at St Mary's University
International Relations at University of Surrey