Psychology
Psychology is the science of human behaviour and experience. Psychology uses scientific methods to explain the causes of certain behaviours and also provides ways of treating them. Anything that people do, think or feel can be studied by psychologists and students find the challenging process of answering some of the big questions surrounding human behaviour exciting.
Course Structure
The course follows the WJEC Psychology specification. The A-level consist of four units, two of which are completed in the first year comprising the AS psychology course.
| AS Unit Title and Description | Assessment Method and Weighting |
|---|---|
Unit PY 1 – Approaches in Psychology
| 40% of the AS level 1 ¼ hour exam |
Unit PY 2 – Psychology: Core Studies and Applied Research Methods
| 60% of the AS level 1 ¾ hour exam |
| A2 Unit Title and Description | Assessment Method and Weighting |
Unit PY 3 – Research methods and issues in research
| 40% of the A2 level 1 ½ hour exam |
Unit PY 4 – Controversies, topics and applications
| 60% of the A2 level 2 ½ hour exam |
Course Content
Psychology is a subject that by its nature requires candidates to consider individual, moral, ethical, social, cultural and contemporary issues. The specification provides a framework for exploration of these issues, helping students answer such questions as ‘what is memory?’ ‘How does therapy work?’ and ‘where do phobias come from?’ Classes involve stimulating debates about controversial aspects of psychology in order to build a holistic understanding of how human behaviour operates. This course encourages candidates to develop skills of analysis, evaluation and research as well as the ability of critical thinking.
Career Opportunities
The world is your oyster with Psychology as all careers involve dealing with people. After degree courses in Psychology, opportunities arise to pursue employment in many fields such as clinical, forensic, educational psychology and criminology. Psychology can also be applied to teaching, mental health nursing, management, counseling and many more professions.
Entry Requirements
Psychology is assessed through literacy and essay writing skills. We require candidates to have the standard Sixth Form entry criteria, including GCSE English and Mathematics. Psychology is a science and we therefore strongly advise a Grade C in two GCSE Science subjects.
Costs
There are no specific costs incurred on this course but students are expected to come fully prepared for lessons with writing equipment and a lever arch file. They will be issued two text books which are to be returned after completion of the course.
Links
- www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk – For course content download psychology e-book.
- www.bps.org.uk – Information about careers, courses and opportunities in psychology
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