Psychology

Collaboration between QEII & RGS

Details of the Examination Specification

Psychology (A) AQA (7182)

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?  

• Psychology is the study of human behaviour. We will look at explaining a wide range of behaviours from different perspectives. For example, we will consider whether behaviour is determined at the genetic level or whether it is learned  

• To be successful in Psychology you must be willing to adopt the skills of an independent learner. The course requires a heavy investment in wider reading and research. You will be expected to extend your in class learning at home and provide evidence of this.  

• 10% of the overall assessment of Psychology will contain maths skills equivalent to Level 2 or above. Therefore you must have a secure knowledge of basic mathematics.  

• 25-35% of the overall assessment of Psychology will examine knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to research methods. There is now a sharp focus on experimental research and investigation. You must have a basic understanding of scientific research methods  

• Psychology is assessed purely through written examinations. These are made up of a range of question styles, including multiple choice, short answer, stimulus material questions and essays. To be successful you must be secure in your written communication skills 

Psychology is a challenging but very rewarding A Level. You will work incredibly hard, but you will learn exciting and personally relevant information and gain a greater understanding of human behaviour. 

What will I learn on this A Level course?

Is this subject right for me?  

• Yes. If you are prepared to work hard and not give up  

• Yes. If you are organised and plan your revision  

• Yes. if you like to be challenged in your thinking  

• Yes. If you like to learn in a variety of ways, including practical research  

• No. If you choose this because there is nothing else you fancy doing  

• No. If you are not willing to invest time and effort on your studies at home 

What can I do after I have completed this course? 

Interest in studying Psychology has grown enormously in recent years. Not only is Psychology a fascinating subject to study, but it also prepares students for a very wide range of careers. Some of these have obvious connections with Psychology, such as clinical, forensic and educational Psychology; but Psychology also provides a useful training for a much wider range of career options. These include market research, social work, teaching, nursing, advertising, sales, media and broadcasting, personnel management and even the police and the Armed Forces. 

Next Steps 

If you would like to study Psychology, you may find out more from: 

• The British Psychological Society www.bps.org.uk 

• AQA www.aqa.org.uk

• BBC www.bbc.co.uk 

• Psychology Review 

• New Scientist 

• School Library