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A-level Psychology
Explore the fascinating subject of human behaviour and interaction whilst gaining a host of valuable skills that will help prepare you for university and/or a variety of career prospects. On this course you will delve into the capabilities of the human mind, whilst discovering what can influence thoughts and feelings. With our unlimited tutor support, you can be confident of achieving your desired grade.
- Fast Track
- In a rush? You can complete this course under a year at no extra charge
- 98% Pass Rate
- Students have enjoyed a 98% pass rate
- Exam Pass Guarantee
- If you don't pass first time, we'll support you for free until your next exams
- Online Learning
- Study on your own terms with our learning platform, MyOxbridge™
- Unlimited Tutor Support™
- Get as much help as you want from your expert personal tutor
Course Introduction
A-level Psychology is one of several fascinating A-level subjects available for you to study online with Oxbridge. Have you ever wondered what makes those around you tick, or struggled to understand why people behave the way they do? If you’re fascinated by the intricacies of the human mind, then you’re sure to enjoy our online AQA A-level Psychology course, awarded by the AQA exam board.
In this engaging online course, you’ll delve into topics such as the reliability and function of our memories, social conformity and resistance, the development of social cognition and different psychological schools of thought.
As well as gaining a great insight into how the human mind functions, A-level Psychology also teaches you a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, researching, and problem-solving. These can be applied to careers across a range of sectors, and prepare you for further study within the field of psychology.
You have the opportunity to analyse the works of some of the best authors to study psychology. This course will enable you to become more selfless, tolerable and understanding. Being able to identify why people behave in certain manners is a unique skill which can be extremely beneficial.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- UCAS Points
- Syllabus Code
- Units
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9–24 months
(Fast Track available)
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300
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Level 3
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AQA
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56
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7182
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12 units (view units)
Awarding Body: AQA
AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries worldwide, highly valued and recognised by employers and universities and enable you to progress to the next stage of your life. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include GCSE courses, IGCSE courses and A-level courses.
UCAS
This course carries UCAS points. This means that it can be used to gain direct access to university courses and other higher education qualifications, through the UCAS system.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: Social influence
- Types of Conformity
- Explanations for obedience
- Resistance to Social Influence
- The role of social influence processes in social change
Unit 2: Memory
- The Multi-Store Model
- Explanations for forgetting
- Interference theory
- Retrieval failure
- The Cognitive Interview Technique
Unit 3: Attachment
- Caregiver-infant interactions
- Stages of attachment
- Multiple attachments and the role of the father
- Cultural variations in attachment
Unit 4: Psychopathology
- Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of disorders
- Depressive and bipolar disorders
- OCD and anxiety disorders
- The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias
- The cognitive approach to depression
- The biological approach to OCD
Unit 5: Approaches in psychology
- Origins of psychology
- Social learning theory
- Cognitive approaches
- Biological approaches
- Psychodynamic approaches, including Freud and the Structure of Personality
- Humanistic approaches
- The eclectic approach
Unit 6: Biopsychology
- The Nervous System
- The Endocrine System
- The Fight or Flight Response
- Localisation of brain function
Unit 7: Issues and debates in psychology
- Gender
- Culture
- Free will and determinism
- Nature vs nurture
- Holism and reductionism
- Idiographic and nomothetic approaches
- Ethics
Unit 8: Relationships
- Partner preferences
- Factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships
- Filter theory
- Virtual relationships
- Parasocial relationships
Unit 9: aggression
- Neural mechanisms and the limbic system
- Hormonal mechanisms
- Genetic factors and the MAOA gene
- Twin studies and aggression:
- Ethological and evolutionary explanations
- Social psychological explanations
- Dispositional and situational explanations
- Media influences
Unit 10: Schizophrenia
- Classification of schizophrenia
- Different types of schizophrenia
- Biological explanations for schizophrenia
- Psychological explanations for schizophrenia:
- Treatments for schizophrenia
- Defining mental illness
Unit 11: Research methods in psychology
- Lab experiments
- Field experiments
- Natural experiments
- Quasi experiments
- Types of observation
- Self-report techniques
- Sampling
- Experimental design
- Ethical issues
- The BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct
- Peer review
- Types of data
- Distributions
- Choice of statistical testing
- Report writing
Unit 12: Preparing for the examinations
Now is the time to get yourself ready for the big day and do some exam preparation.
Course Outcome
After you’ve passed your exams, you’ll be awarded an A-level Psychology qualification issued by AQA. Your certificate is identical to that issued to students at any other school, college or university.
This syllabus (7182) has been chosen specifically because it is best suited to distance learning.
A-level Psychology is a highly-rated qualification that can equip you will key skills that will adequately prepare you for higher education or work.
Progression Routes
There are several progression routes available after achieving an A-level in Psychology. You could study specialist Psychology degrees, these include:
- Clinical Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Sports Psychology
You will also have a solid foundation of knowledge which will help you pursue exciting career opportunities, such as:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Health Psychologist
- Occupational Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
Examinations and Assessments
You will be required to complete the three written exams:
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- Paper 1: 2 hours, 33.3% of A-level, 96 marks.
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- Paper 2: 2 hours, 33.3% of A-level, 96 marks.
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- Paper 3: 2 hours, 33.3% of A-level, 96 marks.
As an Oxbridge student, you are guaranteed access to one of our exam centres located across the country, saving you time and stress and allowing you to concentrate on getting prepared. Your tutor will also provide you with all the resources you need for A-level Psychology revision; whether you prefer working from past papers or a more visual way of revising, we’re here to help you succeed.
Exam FAQs
Are exams required to pass the course?
For A-levels and GCSEs you will need to sit an exam. You can purchase your exams when you enrol on a course, or you can book them later via MyOxbridge. Either way, once you're on board with us, your tutor will guide you through the process.
Where are the exams held?
Exams will require attendance at a physical exam centre, with detailed information available on our Exam Centres page. We offer guaranteed exam spaces at our partnership centres across the UK, or you can register as a private candidate at a centre of your choice, keeping in mind that fees may vary by location.
When do exams take place - are there set dates?
Exam dates are set nationally and cannot be changed, so it's important to plan accordingly. They are usually late spring to early summer. For example, forthcoming A-level exams are scheduled from 1st March to 31st May 2025, while GCSE exams will run from 5th May to 25th June 2025.
Can exams be taken online?
For A-level and GCSE courses, exams must be taken in person at a designated exam centre.
Are mock exams available? Are they compulsory?
Yes, we offer both compulsory Internal Mocks in the autumn (included in your course fees and delivered online) and optional External Mocks in the spring (for an additional fee, taken at an exam centre). Mock exams are a great way to prepare for the real thing, and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
How and when do I register for exams?
Exam registration opens in the autumn before the summer exam period, so if you plan to take exams next summer, you should register by November of the preceding year. You can complete the exam registration form in your student portal, and our Student Support team is available to help with the process.
Can you take exams outside of the UK?
While our MyOxbridge learning portal is accessible worldwide, most exams must be taken within the UK. Check with us for specific exam requirements to avoid any surprises.
Do I have to buy the exam from Oxbridge in order to study with you?
No, you are not obligated to purchase your exam through Oxbridge. You can either book your own exam centre independently, or take advantage of our partnerships with exam centres for a more streamlined process.
Entry Requirements
It is strongly recommended that you have at least one science GCSE or equivalent, preferably a GCSE in Psychology. You also need to be comfortable dealing with numbers. This AQA A-level Psychology syllabus is a difficulty level three: an A-level or BTEC equivalent difficulty, usually suitable for most learners of all ages.