Psychology

Psychology is the science of the mind. Psychologists use human behaviour as a clue to the workings of the mind. Although we cannot observe the mind directly, everything we do, think, feel and say is determined by the functioning of the mind. So psychologists take human behaviour as the raw data for testing their theories about how the mind works.
The aims of the Psychology Department are to develop students’ interest in, and enthusiasm for the subject including developing an interest in progression to higher education and vocations in Psychology.  The course allows students to appreciate the scientific nature of Psychology and engage in contemporary debates through an understanding of research. They will develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other as well as how they relate to everyday life.

The course is comprised of two units at AS Level and two at A2 Level, all of which are externally assessed. The AS course covers the five main approaches in Psychology, namely; Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Psychodynamic Approach, Biological Approach and the Learning Approach. Within each of these, there is a requirement for students to conduct a short practical investigation which they can be asked about in the examination. At A2, the students cover Criminological Psychology, Child Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Issues and Debates within Psychology. The topics at A2 are related to vocational contexts in which a psychology graduate (with the appropriate training) may operate. For all of the examinations, there will be a section of short-answer questions and a section of extended writing.