A-level Psychology at Kings

Overview

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Explore the different explanations for a variety of human behaviours — from genetics and evolution to social pressure, computer models and the unconscious mind. Discover how psychological research is carried out, how theories are applied in the real world and consider debates such as nature vs nurture, free will vs determinism.

Psychology takes a multidisciplinary approach including elements of Biology, Statistics, Forensic Science as well Philosophy and History. Studying A level Psychology will develop a range of skills such as critical thinking, evaluation, essay writing, scientific methods and understanding statistical analysis.

Key Facts

Start Dates:

9 September 2024
6 January 2025

Colleges:

Bournemouth
Brighton
London
Oxford

Entry level:

Academic: Completed 10 years of schooling (GCSE or equivalent)
English: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent

Minimum age:

Length:

2 Academic Years (3 terms)
We also offer entry from Year 12

Lessons:

Average 7 hours per week for each A-level subject (plus homework and private study)

Class size:

4-10

Learning outcomes

Gain UK national university entrance qualification
Raise English to university level
Develop study skills required at degree level
Develop specialist subject expertise

Course content and structure

The following syllabus outline is based on AQA exam board content.

The first year of the A level course provides a broad-based introduction to many of the fascinating topics in Psychology. In the second year, the course builds on prior learning and covers a range of new topics in depth for those wishing to further develop their interest and enjoyment in this exciting area of study.

Assessment is 100% examination (3 Papers) at the end of Year 2.

Year 1

Paper 1 topics

Social influence - conformity, obedience, resistance to obedience, minority influence and social change
Memory – different features of memory, types of memory, models of memory, explanations for forgetting, factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, improving the accuracy of eyewitness testimony
Attachment - Caregiver-infant interactions in humans, Animal studies of attachment, Explanations of attachment, Types of attachment, Cultural variations in attachment, Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation, Effects of institutionalisation and the influence of early attachment on adult relationships.
Psychopathology - Definitions of abnormality, The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias. The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression. The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD.

Paper 2 topics

Approaches in Psychology 1 - Origins of psychology, Behaviourist Approach, Cognitive, Social Learning Theory, Biological psychology.
Biopsychology 1 - The divisions of the nervous system, The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons. The process of synaptic transmission, The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones, The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.
Research methods 1 - research methods and designs, scientific processes and techniques, data handling and analysis and inferential testing (Research methods is taught separately as well as being integrated within all the different topics)
Students will participate in mini practical activities within lessons to aid their understanding of different experimental and research designs and research methods used in particular topics.
In the summer term students will have the opportunity to design, plan and carry out their own research to test a hypothesis, analyse data and evaluate their methods. They will write up their findings as a scientific research report. This is not official coursework but it will support the students to answer exam questions that require these skills.

Year 2

Approaches in Psychology - additional approaches, Humanistic, psychodynamic and a comparison of all of the main approaches
Biopsychology - Localisation of function in the brain and hemispheric lateralisation, Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma, Ways of studying the brain, Biological rhythms: circadian, infradian and ultradian and the difference between these rhythms. The effect of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers on the sleep/wake cycle.

Paper 3 topics

Issues and debates in Psychology – nature/nurture, free will/determinism, cultural and gender bias, scientific status, ethical issues
3 options selected from choice of topics: Aggression, Forensic Psychology and Addiction; Relationships, Gender and Cognition and development; Schizophrenia, Eating behaviour and Stress

Typical A-level subject combinations with Psychology

Psychology A- Level compliments a wide range of science, social science and humanities subjects. In addition, it will be highly beneficial for any career that involves an understanding of others, such as medicine, dentistry, education, marketing, law and forensics.

Psychology, Biology and Chemistry
Psychology, Economics and Politics
Psychology, Law and History
Psychology, Business Studies, Maths

Sample enrichment activities

Freud museum visit
Bethlem - Museum of the Mind visit

Debating Society
Summer research assignment/investigation

Sample academic calendar (2023-2024)

Year 1

Sept

6th: term starts
Student induction

Oct

23rd – 27th: half term
Progress tests

Nov

University fairs and talks

Dec

15th: term ends
End of term exams

Jan

8th: term starts

Feb

15th – 16th: half term
Progress tests
University fairs

Mar

End of term exams
22nd: term ends

Apr

8th: term starts

May

Progress tests

June

Exams
14th: term ends

Year 2

Sept

9th: term starts

Oct

21st October – 1st November: half term
15th October: UCAS deadline (Medicine)
Progress tests

Nov

University fairs and talks

Dec

13th: term ends
End of term exams

Jan

6th: term starts
15th January: UCAS deadline (other subjects)

Feb

13th – 14th: half term
Progress tests

Mar

21st: term ends
Mock exams

Apr

7th: term starts
Progress tests

May

Final exams

June

13th June: term ends

Degree progression

Psychology A Level is a science option that prepares you for a huge range of career choices or future higher education pathways.

If you continue to study Psychology at university you could go on to becoming an educational, clinical or sports psychologist, working as an occupational therapist or as a university-based researcher. In addition, it will be highly beneficial for any career that involves an understanding of others, such as medicine, dentistry, education, marketing, law and forensics, social sciences and business studies.

Example degree courses which require or accept Psychology A-level include:

Psychology
Social sciences
Forensic Science
Medicine
Medical sciences
Nursing
Marketing
Business
Law
Politics
Philosophy
Sports Science

Sample alumni progression

Rui Liang

University of St Andrews
Psychology

Akerke Makhmud

Durham University
Applied Psychology

Jiaming Zhu

University of Sheffield
Education with Psychology

Fen Cong

University of Manchester
Psychology

Joshua Nagy

University of Hull
Psychology

Thank you for your enquiry.
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The Kings Admissions Team

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A-level Psychology

Overview

Key Facts

Learning outcomes

Course content and structure

Year 1

Year 2

Typical A-level subject combinations with Psychology

Sample enrichment activities

Sample academic calendar (2023-2024)

Year 1

Year 2

Recommended reading

Degree progression

Sample alumni progression

University Progression

Elite Preparation

Other programmes

Core Pre-university Programmes

Elite University Pathways

Specialist University Pathways

Summer Academy

Other programmes

Progression to the UK's Top Universities

Hear from our students

Progression agreements

Subject/Career Guides

Step inside Kings.Read our blog

The Kings Difference

Learning at Kings

Life at Kings

Support at Kings

A-level Psychology

Overview

Key Facts

Learning outcomes

Course content and structure

Year 1

Year 2

Typical A-level subject combinations with Psychology

Sample enrichment activities

Sample academic calendar (2023-2024)

Year 1

Year 2

Recommended reading

Degree progression

Sample alumni progression

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