Psychology Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced GCE Course

Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. It explores all aspects of people’s behaviour and attempts to find explanations for this.

The Syllabus followed is AQA ‘A’ and the course comprises of six units; three for AS and three for A2. Each award contributes 50% to the total GCE Advanced award.

Entry Requirements

Students wishing to enrol on this course need have no prior experience or knowledge in the area of Psychology, a GCSE is not required. Students will however, be required to undertake both quantitative and qualitative research, they will benefit from having Mathematics GCSE at Grade C minimum.

AS Units - Year 1

Unit 1

* Cognitive Psychology : memory
* Developmental Psychology : attachment

Unit 2

* Individual Differences : definitions and models of abnormality

Unit 3

* Social Psychology : conformity, obedience and ethics
* Research Methods

GCE Advanced Units - Year 2

Unit 4

* This will involve a selection of topics taken from the areas of cognitive psychology; social psychology; physiological psychology and development psychology.

Unit 5

* Individual differences – focusing on diagnosis and treatment of psychological abnormalities.
* Perspectives – exploring issues and debates in psychology.

Unit 6

* Coursework

A written investigative project will be carried out during which students will collect quantitative data. The project can be based on any area within the syllabus, chosen by the student and agreed with the teacher.