AS/A2 Level Courses

Clivebourne Sixth Form Centre

Psychology Introduction Psychology is the study of the most complex and sophisticated object in the known universe, the human brain. The subject will develop the students understanding of themselves and those around them. It will help you answer questions such as How does memory work? What kind of a human would we be if we were locked away from the rest of the world for ten years? Why would a bank robber not be correctly identified if they were carrying a weapon? Why do we develop phobias, and how do we cure them? Skills you will gain

Knowledge that you can apply to everyday situations for the rest of your life

A greater understanding of why humans behave the way they do (you will not be able to read minds!)

Great analytical and evaluative skills Communication skills Essay writing and scientific report writing skills Time management Independent learning skills The ability to understand many explanations of the same thing and

come to your own conclusions Organisational skills Problem solving skills.

AS Outline Cognitive psychology, memory, developmental psychology, attachments in development, physiological psychology; stress, individual differences, abnormality, social psychology; social influence and research methods.

A2 Outline Aggression, relationships, sleep, schizophrenia, research methods and addiction. Assessment The course is 100% exam based, with exams sat at the end of the AS and A2 years. The subject is heavily science based and so eligible candidates for the course must have an aptitude for scientific enquiry. Candidates will also need to apply a critical and evaluative approach to their studies. Career Progression Possession of an AS in Psychology along with other AS levels can lead to employment or degree programmes. Possession of an A2 can lead to a non-related degree or a BSc degree in Psychology, which in turn can lead to a wide variety of career choices in Psychology, such as in the health, education or numerous other graduate jobs, as many skills are very transferable. Complementary Subjects Psychology overlaps in terms of course content with Sociology, Biology, Philosophy and Mathematics. The skills gained and used throughout the course will combine well with nearly all other courses. Entry Requirements It is strongly advised to have a GCSE in Psychology as this will stand you in very good stead for the course at AS level. However, it is not prerequisite; if you do not have a GCSE in Psychology you can still take AS/A2 in Psychology. A minimum grade B in English, Maths and Science is also required.