Psychology

You will learn about:

Core areas of psychology: Social, biological, cognitive, developmental psychology, and individual differences.

Major theoretical perspectives: Behaviourist (learning through conditioning) and psychodynamic (unconscious processes and early experiences).

Applied fields: Mental health, criminal psychology, and child psychology, exploring disorders, criminal behaviour, and childhood development.

Key themes: How behaviour is influenced, how the brain and mind work, how people develop, and what makes individuals unique.

This course is ideal if you’re curious about people and enjoy exploring ideas scientifically. Psychology complements a wide range of other subjects and opens doors to future study and careers in health, education, business, and beyond.  

Course Content & Assessment

Research Methods (H567-01) 

90 marks 2-hour written exam (30% of A-Level)

In this unit, you will:

• Plan, conduct, and analyse psychological research using both experimental and non-experimental methods. 

• Learn how to apply research techniques in real-life psychology investigations. 

• Develop skills to report your findings in a clear, scientific manner. 

 

Psychological Themes through Core Studies (H567-02)

105 marks 2-hour written exam (35% of A-Level)

This section focuses on building your understanding of key psychological studies. You will:

• Evaluate classical and contemporary psychological research. 

• Compare core studies and discuss the theories, issues, and debates in psychology. 

• Examine the practical applications of psychology in everyday life, from media to real-world situations. 

• Apply psychological theories to novel sources and current examples from newspapers, TV, and other media. 

 

Applied Psychology (H567-03) 

105 marks 2-hour written exam (35% of A-Level)

In this unit, you will study: 

Compulsory unit: Issues in Mental Health

Topics include the history of mental health diagnoses, understanding mental health disorders like schizophrenia and phobias, and exploring what makes someone “mad.” 

Two optional units: Criminal Psychology and Child Psychology 

Criminal Psychology: Examine psychological theories behind criminal behaviour. 

Child Psychology: Study the development of children and the psychological theories behind growth and learning. 

 

You will also explore key psychological issues and debates, such as:

• Nature vs Nurture: How much of our behaviour is shaped by our genetics or environment? 
• Free Will vs Determinism: Do we control our actions, or are we influenced by external forces? 
• Psychology as a science: understanding how and why psychology is considered a scientific discipline — that is, how it aims to study behaviour and mental processes using the scientific method. 

Teaching

In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with psychology in a dynamic and interactive way. The course is assessed through three exams at A-level, which will challenge you to apply your knowledge and critical thinking skills.  

You’ll be expected to take more ownership of your learning, with teachers providing guidance on what to focus on outside of lessons to deepen your understanding. This means you’ll need to prepare independently, reading full articles of key studies rather than relying solely on textbook summaries. This approach will help you gain a deeper insight into the material, develop your research skills, and prepare you for university-level study.  

While lessons will cover essential content, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to discuss and apply what you’ve learned. You’ll be encouraged to think critically, question assumptions, and connect psychological theories to real-world issues, making your learning experience both engaging and intellectually stimulating.  

Your Future

Studying psychology isn’t just about learning theories – it’s about developing the skills to think critically, analyse information, and evaluate real-world situations. This course will challenge you to question the way people think and behave, while giving you the tools to understand and apply psychological concepts to everyday life.  

An A-level in Psychology will provide a strong foundation for university study and beyond, helping you gain valuable insights that are applicable in many careers. Whether you’re interested in the legal profession, police force, medicine, or fields like teaching, management, advertising, or marketing, psychology will equip you with essential skills that employers and universities highly value.  

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