Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes many sub-fields of study such as:
Psychology is really a very new science, with most advances happening over the past 150 years or so.
However, it is fast becoming one of the most popular subject choices!
Due to the subject being so vast there is something for everyone and anyone to enjoy.
Within A-level Psychology at Gateshead College we cover the following sub-fields:
It can lead to an array of careers from being a psychologist (clinical, health, sport etc.) to social work, police force, human resources and teaching.
On this course, you will cover a broad range of topics and explore the different theories and thinking of psychology.
Year 1 – AS Level
Social psychology
You’ll study obedience, prejudice and discrimination:
You’ll study memory including the case study of patient HM and investigate disorders such as dyslexia and dementia.
Some of the memory models you’ll cover include:
During this unit, you’ll look at the mechanisms within our body and learn how they affect our behaviour, specifically focusing on aggression.
Learning Theories
Learning theories are about learning from the environment and the effects of conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, the role of reward and social learning on the organism.
Year 2 – A Level
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is about explaining and treating mental health issues and the different ways of treating them, including counselling and drug treatments.
Individual differences and developmental psychology must be considered when learning about links between personality factors and mental disorders and genetic influences (nature) or environmental influences (nurture) within different explanations for mental health disorders
The disorders you’ll study include:
There are 3 optional modules, we’ll cover the one module the class find the most interesting.
You’ll develop an understanding of how to use theories and evidence from many areas of psychology and apply them to issues to present an argument or research a topic.
Your knowledge and skills will be assessed in a variety of different ways:
You’ll spend a year studying each level, so a year at AS Level and a year at A Level.
Psychology is a solid foundation for many degrees.
Our students have progressed onto Russell Group universities, some of the best universities in the UK, to study:
In order to study A-levels with us, all students need to obtain a strong GCSE grade profile, averaging 6 x Grade 6s.
Individual subjects will also have their own specific requirements. In Psychology, you will be expected to have a grade 6 in GCSE Maths and a grade 6 in English Literature and/or Language.
However, if you do not meet this profile, please still come to one of our enrolment events to discuss all of your options with a member of our A-level team.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 2246 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.