What’s it all about?
One of the most popular A Levels nationally, Psychology looks at the ways people think, act, react, and interact. It is the study of human (and animal) behaviour, and the thoughts and emotions that influence behaviour. Psychology is at once a fascinating research discipline, a rapidly expanding professional field, and a core element of the business world, with psychological tools used to design supermarkets, sell us new products, and keep us scrolling online.
What skills will I need to be successful?
Students need to be able to develop an excellent theoretical understanding of psychological concepts, and then apply this understanding flexibly to a variety of contexts. A mixture of scientific and evaluative skills are needed, and students will be required to write essay-length responses throughout the course.
Where can it take me in the future?
Psychology is one of the most widely taken degree courses, and degree-level study can lead students towards professional certification as a Psychologist in a wide range of specialisms including education and criminology. Psychology graduates also work in social care, prisons and the probation service, and as counsellors. Students planning to take a Psychology degree should normally combine Psychology with an A Level in at least one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths.
An understanding of human behaviour and interaction is invaluable for a vast range of other careers, including education, business, marketing, law, journalism, and many others.
