Qualification: A Level | Exam board: OCR

Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour.

There are lots of possible reasons why people behave the way they do.

Do a person’s genes turn them to crime? Do people blindly obey authority without question? Would you make a good eyewitness?

These are the sort of questions this course will cover.

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Psychology A-Level The Bedford Sixth Form

Year one content

Component 1: Research methods

Research methods underpin any course of psychology and students will need to be familiar with:

  • research methods and techniques
  • planning and conducting research
  • data recording, analysis and presentation
  • report writing
  • practical investigations
  • science in psychology

Component 2: Core studies in psychology

Understanding of core studies develops critical thinking and independent learning, essential to the study of psychology.

Students will need to be familiar with:

  • core studies covering social, cognitive, development, biological and individual differences in psychology
  • areas, perspectives, issues and debates
  • practical applications.
Psychology A-Level The Bedford Sixth Form

Year two content

As well as continuing to develop knowledge and skills from components 1 and 2, students will study component 3 in year two.

Component 3: Applied psychology

In this component students will be able apply their knowledge and understanding of psychology in a range of topic areas.

Students will need to be familiar with three topics:

Mental health

  • what is mental health?
  • the medical model
  • alternatives to the medical model
  • modern approaches to mental health.

Criminal psychology

  • turning to crime
  • building a case
  • in the courtroom
  • managing offenders.

Child psychology*

*subject to change

Additional information

Qualifications in psychology can lead to a wide range of careers including personnel, health services, counselling, teaching and police services.

Successful completion of this course will also give you access to a range of higher education courses including psychology degrees.

Class materials and tutor interaction together with exercises set via our Virtual Learning Environment are designed to support the learning experience of psychology.

This course is assessed by exams. There is no coursework.

There is a requirement that the assessment for A Level Psychology includes 10% maths skills.

A Level Exams

  • Research methods
  • Psychological themes through core studies
  • Applied Psychology

Some of our subjects are subject to standard entry requirement and some have additional requirements. Please see below:

Subject specific entry requirements

  • 5, 4 in Double Science
  • 4 in Maths
  • 4 in English Literature or Language

Standard entry requirements

  • At least five GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English Language and Maths (one Vocational or Technical qualification at Merit or above may be counted)

AND

  • At least grade 4 (or Merit for Vocational or Technical qualifications) in any subject(s) that you have taken at GCSE and wish to continue studying at Level 3

AND

  • Average GCSE (best 8) of at least 4 (38 on the old points table)

AND

  • Grade 4 (or Merit), at least, in any subject previously studied
  • Students will take either 3 A Level subjects or 1 AAQ subject with 2 A Levels
Generic Grand Hall at The Bedford Sixth Form 2021
September 2026

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Applications to join us in September 2026 are now open!

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