A-Level Psychology

This information aims to allow you to explore each of the subjects we offer here at CSF. Please use the menu on the left hand side of this page to navigate through the A-Level, BTEC and additional study courses available.

On this subject page you will find links/downloads which support admissions along with curriculum information for our current students.  

• A curriculum overview document for each subject which details the sequence of teaching and learning, along with the development of key skills
• An independent learning guide, to support students in each subject with the demands of homework, revision, and their independent learning.
• Each subject also has links to our ‘Super-curricular’ initiative, which aims to develop you wider understanding of academic subjects and support your learning – click here for more information.

Qualification

Advanced Level Psychology

OCR

Subject Leader

Mrs S Ellegaard

sellegaard@combertonvc.org

Entry Requirements:

Minimum Entry Requirements: 

5 x 5s

Subject Specific Entry Requirements:

6 in GCSE English or in a humanity

5 in GCSE Maths

6 in Psychology if taken at GCSE

Why study Psychology?

Have you ever wondered if chimpanzees can communicate, if playing violent video games can make you aggressive, where you draw the line between sanity and insanity, or what’s really going on when you’re dreaming? If so, then Psychology is the subject for you. Throughout the course you will discover some fascinating theories of human behaviour, challenge your previously-held beliefs and develop your analytical, investigative, evaluative and writing skills along the way.

What is Psychology?

Psychology is considered to be a science because psychologists try to understand people through careful controlled observation. All sciences rely on rigorous scientific methods and in this way psychology is no different to biology, physics or chemistry. However, psychology does not study molecules or plants, it studies people, their behaviour towards themselves and each other and how they learn and think.

Most of the research that psychologists do falls into one of five general areas; developmental, social, physiological, cognitive and individual differences. We will consider each of these in turn, using previous studies to help us understand the different approaches, and how these lead to different theories and explanations. We will also be carrying out some research of our own.

What can I do with Psychology after A-Level?

Many students go on to study a psychology-related degree, but it will also prepare students well for other degrees and careers in areas such as biology, sociology, philosophy, maths, counselling, medicine (particularly psychiatry), nursing, nutrition, policing, criminology and forensics. The skills you will develop during the course will be useful for you no matter what field you choose to enter.