This A Level Psychology Coursewill appeal to a cross-section of students, regardless of whether they have studied the subject before. It builds on skills developed in the sciences and humanities, and enables progression into a wide range of other subjects including University degree courses.
Enrolment Fee:
£495.00
Get 10% discount when ordering multiple A Level courses. Use the coupon code: ALEVEL10 at checkout
This A Level Psychology Distance Learning Online Course is ideal for anyone wishing to gain a knowledge and understanding of this subject or for anyone who wishes to study at a higher level at University and gain UCAS points. You will also find this course extremely valuable if you are looking for a progression route for further training whilst employed.
Our courses at International Home Study allow our students to work at their own pace and we work to ensure all our student’s needs are met. Our resources will cover the requirements of the course making sure you stay on track with the subject you choose.
Support
The course will be delivered online including Tutor Support for two years. All assignments are marked by one of our professional Tutors who will offer regular feedback and guide you through your course. Postal assignments cannot be accepted without prior permission from the tutor and you must have access to email in order to contact your Tutor.
Throughout your course, you'll have the support of a Tutor to guide you. Additionally, you can reach out to the Student Support Team for help with any other questions you may have. You can be assured that you will receive unlimited support for your home study course, so there is no need to struggle or feel isolated during your studies.
Assessment
The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. You will also have access to a range of online resources.
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an approved centre when an examination forms part of the course. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
Whats included?
Students will be provided with logins for the student portal where they will find all the study materials they need to complete their course. They will also be provided with an e-textbook to assist them in completing their assignments.
Students will be provided with a Tutor who will help guide them through their course, and their Tutor will expect them to submit a number of assignments in order that their progress can be monitored. These assignments will be graded for them and feedback provided. You will also be able to ask the Tutor any questions about the course or for more help if needed. Once their course has been completed, they will then be allocated practice exam papers to ensure that they are familiar with the procedure and layout of their exams. Learners will be expected to complete these under exam conditions (i.e.. stick to the time scales allowed and try to find somewhere quiet), their Tutor can then provide them with a grade and feedback. More practice papers can be provided if required.
Fees
Course fees for payment in full include:
Assessment and feedback on all assignments.
Access to your personal Tutor via our online portal.
Access to a range of online resources, student materials, assessments, assignments, eBooks etc
Practice exam papers to prepare you for the real thing.
Help with UCAS application if attending University.
Tutor references and predicted grades once a satisfactory amount of work has been completed.
Help finding an exam centre for you to sit your exam.
AQA
Specification codes:
AS Level Psychology 7181
A Level Psychology 7182
Exams: June
Study Hours: 300 – 360 hours
AS level Modules:
Social influence
Types of conformity
Conformity to social roles as investigated by Zimbardo.
Explanations for obedience
Explanations of resistance to social influence, including social support and locus of control.
Minority influence including reference to consistency, commitment and flexibility.
The role of social influence processes in social change.
Memory
The multi-store model of memory.
Types of long-term memory.
The working memory model.
Explanations for forgetting.
Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Improving the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, including the use of the cognitive interview.
Attachment
Caregiver-infant interactions in humans.
Animal studies of attachment: Lorenz and Harlow.
Explanations of attachment.
Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’. Types of attachment.
Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation.
The influence of early attachment on childhood and adult relationships, including the role of an internal working model.
Approaches in Psychology
Learning approaches
The cognitive approach
The biological approach
Psychopathology
Definitions of abnormality, including deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, statistical infrequency and deviation from ideal mental health.
The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias.
The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression.
The biological approach to explaining nd treating OCD.
Research methods
Experimental method. Types of experiment, laboratory and field experiments; natural and quasi-experiments
Observational techniques
Self-report techniques
Correlations
A Level Modules:
Compulsory modules:
Social influence
Types of conformity.
Conformity to social roles as investigated by Zimbardo.
Explanations for obedience.
Explanations of resistance to social influence, including social support and locus of control. Minority influence including reference to consistency, commitment and flexibility.
The role of social influence processes in social change.
Memory
The multi-store model of memory.
Types of long-term memory.
The working memory model.
Explanations for forgetting.
Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Improving the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, including the use of the cognitive interview.
Attachment
Caregiver-infant interactions in humans.
Animal studies of attachment.
Explanations of attachment.
Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’.
Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation. Romanian orphan studies.
The influence of early attachment on childhood and adult relationships, including the role of an internal working model.
Psychopathology
Definitions of abnormality, including deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, statistical infrequency and deviation from ideal mental health.
The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias. depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias.
The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression.
The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD.
Approaches in Psychology
Learning approaches.
The cognitive approach.
The biological approach.
The psychodynamic approach.
Humanistic Psychology.
Comparison of approaches.
Biopsychology
The divisions of the nervous system.
The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons. The process of synaptic transmission, including reference to neurotransmitters, excitation and inhibition.
The function of the endocrine system.
The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.
Localisation of function in the brain and hemispheric lateralisation.
Ways of studying the brain.
Biological rhythms.
Research methods
Experimental method.
Observational techniques.
Self-report techniques.
Correlations.
Content analysis.
Case studies.
Scientific processes
Data handling and analysis
Inferential testing
Issues and debates in Psychology
Gender and culture in Psychology.
Free will and determinism.
The nature-nurture debate.
Holism and reductionism.
Idiographic and nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation.
Ethical implications of research studies and theory, including reference to social sensitivity.
And one of the following additional Modules
Option 1 Cognition and development
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development, including the zone of proximal development and scaffolding.
Baillargeon’s explanation of early infant abilities, including knowledge of the physical world; violation of expectation research.
The development of social cognition.
Option 2
Eating behaviour
Explanations for food preferences
Neural and hormonal mechanisms involved in the control of eating behaviour, including the role of the hypothalamus, ghrelin and leptin.
Biological explanations for anorexia nervosa, including genetic and neural explanations.
Psychological explanations for anorexia nervosa
Biological explanations for obesity, including genetic and neural explanations.
Psychological explanations for obesity, including restraint theory, disinhibition and the boundary model.
Option 3
Addiction
Describing addiction
Risk factors in the development of addiction, including genetic vulnerability, stress, personality, family influences and peers.
Explanations for nicotine addiction
Explanations for gambling addiction.
Reducing addiction: drug therapy.
The application of the following theories of behaviour change to addictive behaviour.
AS Level Assessments
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
Assessment overview: three compulsory sections, each containing multiple choice, short answer and extended writing on Social influence, memory and attachment.
72 marks
50% of AS
Paper 2: Psychology in Context
Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June
Assessment overview: three compulsory sections, each containing multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions on Approaches in Psychology, psychopathology and research methods
72 marks
50% of A Level
A Level Assessments:
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: June
Assessment overview: four compulsory sections, each containing multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions on Social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology.
96 marks
33.3% of A Level
Paper 2
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: June
Assessment overview: three compulsory sections, each containing multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions on Approaches in psychology, Biopsychology and Research Methods.
96 marks
33.3% of A Level
Paper 3
Written exam: 2 hours
Availability: June
Assessment overview: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing on the compulsory topic: Issues and debates in Psychology and one further topic from either Option1, Option 2 or Option 3.
96 marks
33.3% of A Level
Cambridge (2021-2023)
Awarding Body: Cambridge
Cambridge Course Code: 9990
Cambridge Exams: June & November ( March for India only)
Cambridge Study Hours: 300 – 360 hours
This International A’ Level Psychology Course with Cambridge will help you develop your appreciation of the subject by exploring the ways in which psychology is conducted. As part of your studies, you also review important research; this provides an insight into the ways in which psychology has been applied, thereby leading to a better understanding of key approaches, research methods and issues and debates.
The syllabus reflects four core areas of psychology, namely biological, cognitive, learning and social; it also relates psychology to abnormality, consumer behaviour, health and organisations.
For exams in 2021- 2023
The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Business Studies are:
Nature versus nurture
The nature–nurture debate is a crucial discussion running through all aspects of psychology in order to explain behaviour. Behaviours could be seen as resulting from innate, genetic factors (nature) or behaviours could be explained in terms of the environmental influences that begin to shape us from the moment of conception (nurture). The focus of contemporary psychology is to consider the relative contributions of each influence.
Ethics in psychological research
The need for ethical research constrains the investigation of some topics, or the use of some research techniques. Our approach to ethics has changed over time, so some of the earlier studies that were the basis of the discipline are now no longer acceptable. Ethics must be considered when designing a psychological investigation to ensure that data is gathered without compromising the wellbeing of the participant(s).
Choice of psychological research methods
Psychologists have to carefully choose the research method they use in terms of the information they wish to gather. Every research method, whether quantitative or qualitative, has strengths and weaknesses, and the psychologist must evaluate how the method they have chosen supports the validity and reliability of their specific investigation and contributes to the wider body of psychological research.
No one view in psychology is definitive
Psychological theories are developed by posing hypotheses which are then tested through research. The research will be influenced by the psychological approach of the researcher and the time and context they are working in. A single topic is likely to be studied in more than one psychological approach, and each approach has its own assumptions, strengths and weaknesses. These different explanations can work together or be in opposition, so psychologists have to balance the evidence for each explanation.
Relevance of psychology in contemporary society
Psychology is now used to underpin many aspects of our lives – it is used in organising businesses, in planning our shops and homes, in treating medical conditions and to improve how we learn. Every study is undertaken with a specific purpose in mind which can then be applied in everyday life – whether it is improving our lives in general, understanding how groups of people behave or treating a disorder. By understanding psychology we can improve how we live our lives and society in general.
Key Info:
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level Psychology study the following topics:
Approaches in Psychology
Biological
Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions)
Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
Schachter and Singer (two factors in emotion)
Cognitive
Andrade (doodling)
Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)
Laney et al. (false memory)
Learning
Bandura et al. (aggression)
Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)
Pepperberg (parrot learning)
Social
Milgram (obedience)
Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)
Yamamoto et al. (chimpanzee helping)
Research Methods
Research methods are essential tools that psychologists can use to help us understand human and animal behaviour.
The issues and debates In Psychology
The application of psychology to everyday life
Individual and situational explanations
Nature versus nurture
The use of children in psychological research
The use of animals in psychological research.
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Psychology study the AS Level content and two of the following options:
Abnormality
This specialist option considers the definitions, symptoms, causes and treatments of a variety of mental disorders.
Consumer behaviour
This specialist option reflects the society in which we live and looks at both seller and purchaser as well as the design of consumer environments.
Health
This specialist option focuses on health issues, including pain and stress.
Organisations
This specialist option considers the world of work, and how individuals and groups within an organisation function and influence each other and have an impact on the organisation itself.
Exam Papers:
Paper 1: Approaches, issues and Debates
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Short answer questions and an essay question, based on core studies.
60 Marks
Paper 2: Research methods
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Section A: Short answer questions, some based on the core studies (22 marks).
Section B: Scenario-based questions.
Section C: A design-based question divided into two parts.
Candidates answer each question in the spaces provided on the question paper.
60 Marks
Paper 3: Specialist options: theory
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer two questions from two specialist options.
Question 1: The question is divided into three parts
Question 2: Structured essay-based question divided into two parts.
60 Marks
Paper 4 : Specialist options: application
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer questions from two specialist options.
Section A: Candidates answer two questions from a choice of four. Each of these questions is based on stimulus material and is divided into four parts.
Section B: Candidates answer one design-based question from a choice of four. Each question is divided into two parts.
Section C: Candidates answer one essay question from a choice of four.
Question 1: The question is divided into three parts
Question 2: Structured essay-based question divided into two parts.
60 Marks
Cambridge (2024-2026)
Awarding Body: Cambridge
Cambridge Course Code: 9990
Cambridge Exams: June & November ( March for India only)
Cambridge Study Hours: 300 – 360 hours
This International A’ Level Psychology Course with Cambridge will help you develop your appreciation of the subject by exploring the ways in which psychology is conducted. As part of your studies, you also review important research; this provides an insight into the ways in which psychology has been applied, thereby leading to a better understanding of key approaches, research methods and issues and debates.
The syllabus reflects four core areas of psychology, namely biological, cognitive, learning and social; it also relates psychology to abnormality, consumer behaviour, health and organisations.
For exams in 2024, 2025 and 2026
The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology are:
Nature versus nurture
A key focus of contemporary psychology is to consider the relative contributions of nature versus nurture. Behaviours could be seen as resulting from innate, genetic factors (nature) or behaviours could be explained in terms of the environmental influences that begin to shape us from conception (nurture). Students should be aware of this debate while planning studies and evaluating studies as part of this course.
Ethics
Ethics must be considered when planning a psychological investigation to ensure that data is gathered without compromising the wellbeing of the participant(s). The approach to ethics in psychological research has changed over time as our understanding has developed and attitudes towards ethical and moral implications change. As a result, some of the earlier studies that were the basis of the subject no longer meet the current guidelines. We should continually evaluate the ethical and moral implications of psychological research.
Research methods
Every research method has strengths and weaknesses, and a psychologist must evaluate how the method they have chosen contributes to the validity and reliability of their specific investigation as well as to wider psychological research.
No one view in psychology is definitive
Psychological research is influenced by the approach of the researcher and the time and context they are working in. Any topic is likely to be studied from the perspective of more than one psychological approach, and each approach has its own assumptions.
Relevance of psychology in contemporary society
By understanding psychology, we can improve how we live our lives and society in general. Every study is undertaken with a specific purpose in mind which can then be applied in everyday life – whether it is improving how we learn, understanding how groups of people behave or treating a disorder. Students should be able to recognise how psychological studies of a specific area can be applied to other scenarios in everyday life.
Modules:
At AS Level candidates study four psychological approaches:
Biological
Cognitive
Learning
Social
Each approach is exemplified though 12 core studies. The core studies illustrate a wide range of research methods used in psychology, such as experiments, self-reports, case studies, observations, correlations and longitudinal studies. By exploring the relationship between the content of the study and the research methods, candidates will gain a broad understanding of how psychologists study experiences and behaviours and why the research took place.
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Psychology study the AS Level content and two of the following specialist options:
Clinical Psychology
This option considers the diagnostic criteria, symptoms, explanations and treatments for a variety of mental and behavioural disorders/conditions.
Consumer Psychology
This option reflects consumer society and looks at both consumers and sellers as well as the design of consumer environments.
Health Psychology
This option focuses on the psychological factors that influence health, considers ways to measure and treat conditions such as pain and stress, and ways to influence behaviours around health and health choices.
Organisational Psychology
This option considers workplaces and organisations and how individuals and groups within an organisation function, influence each other and have an impact on the organisation.
Exam Papers:
Paper 1: Approaches, Issues and Debates
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Section A: Short answer questions based on core studies.
Section B: Extended response and essay questions, based on core studies..
60 Marks
Paper 2: Research methods
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Section A: Short answer questions and scenario- based questions.
Section B: A planning question divided into several parts.
60 Marks
Paper 3: Specialist options: theory
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer two questions from two specialist options.
60 Marks
Paper 4: Specialist options: application
Written examination:1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: June and November (March in India)
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer questions from two specialist options.
Section A: Candidates answer questions from two specialist options.
Section B: A planning question divided into several part.
You do not need any prior learning knowledge or experience to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone who wishes to take part in a highly rewarding home study course, although you would be expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.
You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 2 years from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor. You do not have to wait until September, when a traditional school starts.
Once you enrol, you will have access to our online portal 24/7. Here you will find study materials that have been specially prepared by your tutor, there will be assessments, study notes, eBooks and assignments all relating to your course. Everything in this course is structured to follow the course specification, so all topics and units cover everything you need to learn. Your tutor will mark your work and give you written feedback on areas you need to improve or explain what you have done well. You can also ask your tutor questions if you get stuck on a topic or need something explaining a little more.
When you approach the exams, your tutor will set you a series of practise exam papers so that you can know what to expect in your exam, and you can go into them feeling confident.
You will be provided with eBooks for this course. If you want to purchase physical books in addition, then we can provide you with the book ISBN numbers.
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations (including any practicals they wish to take) at an approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
Most of our A Levels are available internationally. We offer A Levels with three different awarding bodies, AQA, Cambridge and Edexcel. If the course is only available via the AQA awarding body then of course you can still take our course, however the exams must be taken in the UK.
Cambridge, and Edexcel both have international exam centres, so you may be able to take the exams locally to you. Should you need any help, then please do get in touch and we can assist you on this.
Yes, you can work at your own pace to complete this course. Despite having 24 months Tutor Support, once you enrol you will be asked when you wish to complete, and your tutor can work along side you to achieve this.
For example, any A-Level course undertaken has a recommended 360 guided learning hours. Breaking down a 360 hour course into 12 weeks, you would need to be able to commit to 30 hours per week of studying. It is entirely up to you the amount of time you can commit to studying. But with online learning, having the flexibility is a real advantage. This allows you to set the pace. Take your time or Fast-track, get the qualification when you need it.
All of our A Level awarding bodies will give you a full A Level qualification. There will be slight differences between the specifications and what you will actually learn.
For the Science courses (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), there would be a difference in how you sit practical elements.
AQA offers practicals but they are optional.
With the Cambridge exam board, you will be expected to perform the practical elements, they are compulsory. Which means finding an exam centre that has a lab for you to complete this.
With Edexcel, the practical elements are all taught in theory and are assessed via a written exam, therefore you can sit your full exam at a typical Edexcel approved exam centre.
More information about science practicals can be found here.
It is recommended that you aim to book your examinations 4/6 month prior to sitting them to avoid late entry fee charges. Additionally, we would advise that you contact a few exam centres and find out the best price, as they can fluctuate greatly.
You will sit the same exam as thousands of students across the country in an exam centre, and achieve the same qualification as everyone else. A-Level qualifications are recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.
Of course, all of our courses are tailored to cover the entire specification and are split into topics. You will have assignments to complete on every topic where your tutor will give you feedback. If you are struggling with an aspect then you can message your tutor and they can provide more information for you.
As your exams approach, your tutor will set a series of exam papers for you to take, so you can get a feel for the real thing.
If you complete all of your assignments, and your practise exam papers then there is no reason why you shouldn’t achieve a top grade.
Course fees for payment in full include: