Psychology A Level - Level 3
Overview
High demand, limited places - Apply now for September 2025!
With record-breaking applications in recent years, many courses for September 2024 were already full by spring time. Due to an increasing number of school leavers in our local area, the same high demand is expected for September 2025.
Apply early to secure your place and avoid disappointment!
Psychology is applied to almost all aspects of life and is key to understanding human behaviour. You will learn the skills needed to decode human behaviour, develop an understanding of the different areas of psychology and explore topical issues.
What does it combine with?
What our students say
Evie talks to us about the exciting opportunities studying A Levels with us has presented her, including how it differs from school, using the West Notts Travel Pass, and her plans to progress onto university.
What will I study?
A Level Psychology will equip you with the skills and knowledge to decode human behaviour in everyday life and you will critically analyse key theories which explain why we behave the way we do. Is our behaviour due to our genes? Is it due to our environment?
You will study research methods, where you will learn the work that goes into designing and conducting experiments and ways that you can make sense of data that is collected using statistical testing.
You can expect to develop an understanding of different areas of psychology such as memory, child development, social psychology as well as certain mental health disorders, including: discussion phobias, depression, OCD, and schizophrenia.
You will also learn how topical issues, such as eyewitness testimony, can be better understood and managed by looking at them from a psychological perspective.
Entry requirements
- GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths grade 4-9
- GCSE Double Science grade 4/4 plus another GCSE grade 4-9
OR
- GCSE Triple Science grade 4/4/4.
- GCSE Psychology is not required, but if you have studied GCSE Psychology, we ask for a grade 4-9 to show you have engaged well with the subject.
Following your application you will normally be offered a place subject to achieving the entry requirements and attending a welcome taster.
Study programmes - essential skills for employment
If you’re aged 16-18 (or 19-25 with an EHC Plan), we want to make sure you have the best possible chances of landing an awesome job once you finish college.
Therefore, if you do not have GCSE grade 4-9 in either English Language or Maths, you will study one or both of these courses alongside your full-time study programme. If you do have GCSE grade 4-9 in English Language and Maths then you will not be required to undertake these subjects. By doing so, you'll be building a stronger set of skills that will significantly boost your employability in the future.
Think of it as a chance to supercharge your knowledge and abilities. You'll be equipped with the tools necessary to tackle the world beyond college with confidence. Plus, we'll be right here to support you every step of the way.
How long is the course?
Two years.
How will I be assessed?
This course is assessed solely by examination, with exams scheduled for May/June at the end of the second year. In psychology, we follow the AQA specification and you will be assessed over 3 exam papers (all with equal weighting).
What does the course lead to?
In the future you may choose to specialise in a certain area of psychology at university. Previous students have gone on to work within: teaching, healthcare, counselling, police, etc.
What else can I do?
The A Level in psychology combines well with biology, law, media and sociology.
What can I progress onto?
Further study at university-level* in subjects including health studies, criminology, science and psychology.
*As we are a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may qualify for various benefits should you choose to apply to NTU after completing your college course. This could include a Progress NTU offer, where you would receive an offer one grade below their standard offer. For instance, a typical offer for one of their courses might require 128 UCAS tariff points. With Progress NTU, your requirements would be 120 UCAS tariff points. For further details, please call us on 0808 100 3626 or discover more about this benefit here.
How do I apply?
You don’t need to apply for each A Level course you are interested in individually.
Once we have received your application form we will invite you into college where we will be able to discuss every aspect of the courses you have chosen as well as any alternatives you may be considering.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the areas of the college used for your course choices.
Apply online