Course Overview
Are you interested in how people think and feel, and why they behave the way that they do? Do you want to know how our memory works, and how we can improve our recall of important information? Are you fascinated by how children develop attachments to their parents and other family members, and how this helps (or hinders) their emotional development as adults? If the answer is ‘YES’, then Psychology is for you.
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and experience.
This course will enable you to gain valuable insights and a detailed understanding of your own and other people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
You'll discover many things about yourself and others, exploring a wide range of subjects, including social and cognitive psychology and psychopathology (including explanations of mental disorders).
Whether you aspire to work as a teacher or nurse, or to work in a marketing and/or business environment, this A-level will provide you with invaluable knowledge and skills.
At Hartpury, we follow the AQA Psychology specification.
Our Psychology lecturers are also examiners for the relevant exam board. This allows them to further enhance the important skills required.
On this course you'll study the following topics over two years.
- Social Influence
- Conformity; Obedience
- Resisting conformity and obedience
- Memory
- Short and long-term memory
- Forgetting
- Reliability of eyewitness testimony
- Attachment
- Human attachment
- Disruption of human attachment
- Adult relationships
- Approaches in Psychology
- Learning Approach – how we learn
- Cognitive approach – how we think
- Biological approach – how the brain works
- Psychopathology
- Explanations and treatments of OCD
- Explanations and treatments of Phobias
- Explanations and treatments of Depression
- Biopsychology
- The nervous system
- Brain structure
- Brain scanning
- Issues & Debates in Psychology
- Gender differences
- Nature-nurture debate
- Ethical considerations
- Relationships
- Formation & Breakdown of relationships
- Virtual relationships
- Parasocial relationships with celebrities
- Schizophrenia
- Diagnosing Schizophrenia
- Treating Schizophrenias
- Forensics
- Defining crime
- Offender profiling
- Rehabilitating criminals
The majority of A-level lessons are delivered from the classrooms in our College Learning Centre, providing a modern learning environment, contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped library and learning resources.
Lessons are delivered in a traditional manner and include individual tasks as well as group work. A-level students will be set regular homework tasks as well as regular assessments throughout the academic year.
A-levels offers a unique timetable facilitating sporting development and extra-curricular activities, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and the holistic development of all students.
A-level students have access to our equine and sport facilities, animal collection, and our commercial Home Farm.
Students have a pastoral tutor who will support them to succeed in their studies and their enrichment activities. All students have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online. In addition, all students have access to medical professionals on campus.
Exam board: AQA
Total of six hours assessment split over three examination papers. Each paper will have a duration of two hours.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
An A-level in Psychology can be combined with subjects like Physical Education, Business Studies, Biology, Sociology, Geography, Environmental Science, Economics, English, Chemistry, History, Mathematics or Physics and can lead to a wide range of exciting progression routes. Students may go on to careers in healthcare, education, research, social services, or data science.
Popular combinations include Psychology with Physical Education for careers in sport psychology, physiotherapy or teaching; with Biology or Chemistry for roles in nursing, psychiatry, biomedical science or forensic investigation. Pairing Psychology with Sociology or English supports careers in teaching, social work, speech therapy or journalism. Students combining Psychology with Economics or Maths can explore roles in behavioural economics, government policy or AI research, while pairing with Physics opens up careers in biomedical engineering or radiography.
These combinations support national skills priorities in health and adult social care, education, digital and data skills, and life sciences. Locally, they align with Gloucestershire’s skills needs in health and social care.
Course Overview
Course information
Are you interested in how people think and feel, and why they behave the way that they do? Do you want to know how our memory works, and how we can improve our recall of important information? Are you fascinated by how children develop attachments to their parents and other family members, and how this helps (or hinders) their emotional development as adults? If the answer is ‘YES’, then Psychology is for you.
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and experience.
This course will enable you to gain valuable insights and a detailed understanding of your own and other people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
You'll discover many things about yourself and others, exploring a wide range of subjects, including social and cognitive psychology and psychopathology (including explanations of mental disorders).
Whether you aspire to work as a teacher or nurse, or to work in a marketing and/or business environment, this A-level will provide you with invaluable knowledge and skills.
At Hartpury, we follow the AQA Psychology specification.
Our Psychology lecturers are also examiners for the relevant exam board. This allows them to further enhance the important skills required.
What you’ll learn
On this course you'll study the following topics over two years.
- Social Influence
- Conformity; Obedience
- Resisting conformity and obedience
- Memory
- Short and long-term memory
- Forgetting
- Reliability of eyewitness testimony
- Attachment
- Human attachment
- Disruption of human attachment
- Adult relationships
- Approaches in Psychology
- Learning Approach – how we learn
- Cognitive approach – how we think
- Biological approach – how the brain works
- Psychopathology
- Explanations and treatments of OCD
- Explanations and treatments of Phobias
- Explanations and treatments of Depression
- Biopsychology
- The nervous system
- Brain structure
- Brain scanning
- Issues & Debates in Psychology
- Gender differences
- Nature-nurture debate
- Ethical considerations
- Relationships
- Formation & Breakdown of relationships
- Virtual relationships
- Parasocial relationships with celebrities
- Schizophrenia
- Diagnosing Schizophrenia
- Treating Schizophrenias
- Forensics
- Defining crime
- Offender profiling
- Rehabilitating criminals
How you’ll learn
The majority of A-level lessons are delivered from the classrooms in our College Learning Centre, providing a modern learning environment, contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped library and learning resources.
Lessons are delivered in a traditional manner and include individual tasks as well as group work. A-level students will be set regular homework tasks as well as regular assessments throughout the academic year.
A-levels offers a unique timetable facilitating sporting development and extra-curricular activities, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and the holistic development of all students.
A-level students have access to our equine and sport facilities, animal collection, and our commercial Home Farm.
Students have a pastoral tutor who will support them to succeed in their studies and their enrichment activities. All students have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online. In addition, all students have access to medical professionals on campus.
How you’ll be assessed
Exam board: AQA
Total of six hours assessment split over three examination papers. Each paper will have a duration of two hours.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
What can you do after this course?
An A-level in Psychology can be combined with subjects like Physical Education, Business Studies, Biology, Sociology, Geography, Environmental Science, Economics, English, Chemistry, History, Mathematics or Physics and can lead to a wide range of exciting progression routes. Students may go on to careers in healthcare, education, research, social services, or data science.
Popular combinations include Psychology with Physical Education for careers in sport psychology, physiotherapy or teaching; with Biology or Chemistry for roles in nursing, psychiatry, biomedical science or forensic investigation. Pairing Psychology with Sociology or English supports careers in teaching, social work, speech therapy or journalism. Students combining Psychology with Economics or Maths can explore roles in behavioural economics, government policy or AI research, while pairing with Physics opens up careers in biomedical engineering or radiography.
These combinations support national skills priorities in health and adult social care, education, digital and data skills, and life sciences. Locally, they align with Gloucestershire’s skills needs in health and social care.
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
Mathematics and English Language at grade 6 or above.
You should expect some small costs for books and stationery. There will also be opportunities to take part in trips related to the topics you are studying. In the past, these have included visits to Alton Towers, the Houses of Parliament, JCB, Uttoxeter, and the Cadbury Factory. These trips incur a charge/are covered by the educational visits fee.
Students are required to pay a non-refundable educational visits fee at enrolment.
Which other A-levels does this work well with?
A-level Psychology typically goes well with: Biology, Business, English, Geography, History, Physical Education, and Sociology.
Can I study A-level Psychology and play in the Sports Academy?
This will depend which other A-levels you are studying. Where possible we try to work academy timetables around academic timetables, however this is not always possible. Please email to discuss your individual circumstances.
Can I bring my horse and study A-levels?
Yes - we provide students with the opportunity to bring their horse (or horses) with them while they study. On-site livery is offered to students on a DIY or full livery basis. This is subject to availability as demand is always high. Fees apply.
How much does the course cost?
If you're a UK student under the age of 19 enrolling in full-time A-level courses at Hartpury College, you typically won't need to pay tuition fees. For further information, details for those over 19 year-of-age and international students, visit: Finance | Hartpury College
Outstanding
Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision
99.4% pass-rate
With an A-level pass rate of 99.4% (Hartpury College 2025), our outcomes for students are exceptional.
Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.
The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.
A-levels or a diploma?
Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.
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