Sixth Form Psychology
Psychology
Board: AQA
Type: GCE A Level
School: Sturminster Newton High School
Contact: Mr T Enticknap & Mrs K Collins
Why study Psychology?
Do you find yourself wondering why people behave in the way they do? Then studying Psychology can provide some of the answers and probably raise many more questions. Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. It is concerned with people - why they do things, how they think, how they develop, the theories which account for this and methods of investigation.
What will I learn?
Topics include Memory, Social Influence, Psychopathology and Statistics. In the second year, we study Forensic Psychology, Gender and Schizophrenia. As a ‘young’ science, studying Psychology means you will be working at the cutting-edge of recent discoveries and theories.
What are the entry requirements?
Minimum: GCSE grade 55 in combined or separate sciences at higher tier, GCSE grade 5 in English and GCSE grade 5 in Maths at higher tier.
Ideal: GCSE grade 66 in combined or separate sciences at higher tier, GCSE grade 6 in English and GCSE grade 6 in Maths at higher tier.
No previous experience of the subject is required. You need to have a willingness to think, discuss, read, carry out practical research and deal with new ideas and concepts.
You should be ready to analyse numerical data and interpret experimental findings to draw logical conclusions.
How will I be assessed?
3 x 3 hour papers in the summer of Year 13.
What do students do after studying Psychology?
Psychology complements a variety of subjects such as Biology, Sports Studies, Statistics, History and English. Psychology is one of the most popular courses at university, where it is widely considered a science subject and offered as a BSc. It is useful if one is considering a career dealing with people, such as education, the medical occupations, personnel management, public relations, marketing & advertising or the media – or indeed as a psychologist.
What are the enrichment opportunities?
To support the Forensic Psychology module, we visit HMP Guys Marsh who have run talks outlining the role of psychology within a prison setting. This has included insight into how the prison is set up to promote rehabilitation and advice about getting into forensic psychology as a career by registered forensic psychologists.