Are you interested in people and wish to gain an understanding of human behaviour and the factors which influence us to behave in different ways? This course offers explanations of why humans behave and think as they do. Psychology will allow you to study psychological theories in a scientific manner and then apply them to everyday life. How do you define intelligence? Why do we conform? Do we have control over our own behaviour? What is ‘abnormality’?

Students studying three A Levels will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 6 including Mathematics and/or Science and three GCSEs at grade 5/4, including English Language. Or eight GCSEs at a minimum of grade 5.

Topics you will study include:

• Gender

• Schizophrenia

• Forensics

Psychology is an academic subject requiring a high standard of written communication. There are also biological and mathematical elements to the course.

Compulsory topics include: Social Influence, Memory Attachment, Psychopathology, Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology, Research methods, and Issues and Debates in Psychology.

Optional topics include: Schizophrenia, Eating Behaviour, Stress, Aggression, Forensic Psychology, and Addiction.

Assessment is by examination at the end of the second year, which are all of even weighting towards your final grade.

Exam Board: AQA

Visits have included trips to HM Manchester, London, and conferences within the North West. These trips are an exciting way to see psychology in action and how to apply the theoretical knowledge learnt in the classroom. Depending on what areas students are passionate about, they could carry out work experience within schools, the NHS, research settings and youth centres. Students can also volunteer their services on the student council and/or the student mental health awareness group. There is an expectation for students to complete a one-week work placement in the Summer term.

The Psychology Department is committed to facilitate your learning in an enthusiastic and supportive manner. We offer additional support and enrichment programmes as well as having many excellent e-learning resources to aid your progression. For students who wish to progress in the field of psychology and or psychological research at university, The Sixth Form also  offers the opportunity to take an additional qualification of Core Mathematics.

A Level Psychology is regarded as a highly academic subject and is well respected by employers and universities alike. We have excellent links with prestigious universities and progression rates to higher education are high.

Knowledge of psychology is useful in any career that involves working with people. Careers that directly employ your psychological knowledge include forensic, clinical occupational and educational psychology as well as advertising, sport, business, marketing and human resources.

Students must be equipped with files, dividers, highlighters, calculators, paper and pens to ensure they create full sets of notes for their revision. Some find it helpful to buy a textbook for additional reading and suggestions for suitable books are on the reading list provided at the start of term.