A Level Psychology Tutors

Why study A Level Psychology?

Psychology is a subject which very much centres upon us: human beings. It explores how our brain and mind works and what kind of reactions we can expect from ourselves and from others. Studying psychology can help in every aspect of life, personal and professional alike. This includes:

• understanding ourselves
• understanding others
• improving communication skills
• gaining research and analytical skills

Psychology teaches us about human behaviour both in everyday life and under less ordinary circumstances. It helps to understand and explain many aspects of the human mind and examines it from various angles. For example, the same psychological phenomena may have different explanations and those may be conflicting. As such, studying psychology means not only learning facts, but gaining a deeper comprehension of the subject and developing the ability to compare and to evaluate various theories. This helps to improve critical thinking.

The human mind and exhibited behaviour are by no means unified, so research outcomes may be ambiguous and hard to interpret. You will learn research methods and the tools necessary in the interpretation of the results. This is essential and constitutes a core element of most syllabi.

What does A level psychology cover and how is it assessed?

The A level psychology syllabus varies between exam boards but common coverage includes:

• biological psychology
• cognitive psychology
• social psychology
• developmental psychology
• psychopathology

Examples of additional topics include:

• gender
• cognition and development
• eating behaviour
• stress
• forensic psychology
• addiction

A Level Psychology assessment is determined by the board in question. The exam boards offering psychology A level include AQA, OCR, Edexcel, Eduqas (in England), WJEC (in Wales) and CIE (international).

What GCSEs do I need?

Psychology is a science and relies heavily upon analysis and research. There is no requirement for prior study of the subject, but science, especially biology GCSE, can be useful and may be required by some schools. Demonstrable mathematics skills may also be a good indicator as to how easily a student will master the research methods. Throughout the A level course and during the final exams, essay writing is the main method by which you will be required to demonstrate knowledge, so English language GCSE will be advantageous here and, again, may be required by some institutions.

Where can I use A level psychology?

Psychology covers a broad range of subjects and academic disciplines and can thus be valuable in a variety of careers and onward study options. The knowledge gained includes highly transferable skills, valuable in any areas where human relations, communications and interactions are important.

From people management roles, through training and education, a deeper understanding of human behaviour can be a valuable asset. Not only that, but the analytical and research skills are useful in most careers, for example in marketing, HR, or business administration. A level psychology may also be a step towards a psychology degree, leading to a successful career in the field.

Is A level psychology right for me?

Most of us are keen to understand more about peoples’ motivations and goals. The expert team here at The Profs can help you to consider your options and can answer any questions you may have. With seasoned academics, tutors and experts from a range of industries, we can provide advice as to onward study options and career choices.

We can also provide subject-specific mentoring and tuition on a one-to-one basis. The knowledge and expertise of our tutors can provide the additional help and insight you may need in order to obtain the best possible results. Why not contact us today to find out more?