Applied Psychology ALMP A Level

Overview

Psychology is the study of human behaviour and mental processes and this A Level equivalent course combines research and theory to explore this subject fully.

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language.

Structure

On this course you will study towards two exams (one in first-year, two in second-year):The first-year exam is on psychological approaches and applications, focusing on four key approaches: behaviourist, social, cognitive and biological.

Essentially, the teachings of these four approaches is used to explain the whys and hows of the three topics, e.g. masculinity being a social construct, using technology to measure brain activity when watching adverts, aggressive behaviour being learnt from parents.

The second-year exam is on health psychology, looking at explanations behind stress and addiction such as smoking, shopping, gambling and alcohol. As well as the reasons for adherence in relation to health behaviours, e.g. why people stick/don’t stick to diets or why people do/don’t practice safe sex.Two coursework units (one in first-year, one in second-year).

The coursework in the first-year is on research methods (a synoptic unit from the first-year exam). This unit has learners writing a report on what psychological research is and how/why it’s conducted, they then plan, conduct and review their own small scale piece of research into a psychological topic.

The second-year coursework is on psychopathology (mental health). This unit has learners writing reports on the history of mental health and how it has been viewed over time, definitions of what ‘mental health is’, and how those with mental health issues have been supported/treated.

Learners will write a report on factors contributing to mental health issues such as signs or symptoms, and write about the support available for the chosen issue, e.g., specific professionals, services, therapies, and medications. 

Assessment

In Year 1, it is a 50/50 split between exam and coursework for your overall grade. In Year 2 it is 65/35, with 65% for the exam and 35% for coursework.