Training in Psychology opens up many career paths. In addition to laying the foundations for further study, it is useful not only for future health professionals, but also for a broad range of jobs involving the management of people. It is a fascinating subject in its own right, with insights that will prove useful for everyone. You will learn to design experiments, evaluate scientific research, use statistics effectively and deal with ethical issues. There is also guidance on carrying out practical investigations and psychological methods
Each full A Level Course consists of an AS and A2 Syllabus. The AS and A2 courses can be sat in their own right as an individual course, but you are required to have completed the AS level syllabus before starting on an A2 syllabus.
Each lesson begins with a set of clearly stated objectives and an explanation of its place in the overall programme of study. The AS Level has eight tutor-marked assignments (known as TMAs).
The Syllabus:
This course prepares students for the AQA Psychology AS level syllabus 1185 (Specification B) for examinations in June 2009 and later years. The full Advanced Level qualification comprises AS and A2. We have chosen this syllabus as it is the most suited for distance learning.
The course is split into modules, reflecting the new four module examination structure of new A levels.
AS
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Paper 1 – Introducing Psychology (1 ½ Hours) is 25% of the total A Level marks.
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Paper 2 – Individual Differences, Social Psychology and Cognitive Psychology (1 ½ Hours) is 25% of the total A Level marks.
Coursework:
There is no coursework for this course.
Special Requirements:
We will only admit students for A Level who have a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C and above. These would ideally include English and Maths.
Additional Reading:
Introducing Psychology: Approaches, Topics and Methods, (D Pennington, J McLoughlin, D Robinson, L Dancer K Boswell & R Smithson) - ISBN: 0340847786, Advanced Psychology AQA (B) (D Pennington, J McLoughlin, D Robinson, K Boswell & R Smithson) - ISBN: 0340859342 and Advanced Psychology: Atypical Behaviour (L Turner, D Robinson & D Pennington) - ISBN: 0340859334.
Technical Support:
Every student receives a personal tutor with whom they need to keep in regular contact. The essential relationship between student and tutor begins with an introductory letter and a telephone call to help decide on a study plan. All tutors are fully qualified teachers holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a degree in education. So when you enrol on a course you can be assured of the assistance of a professionally qualified subject specific tutor.
We don’t set a limit on how often you can contact your tutor. The advise and encouragement our tutors provide are an important part of your learning experience. You can contact your tutor by Phone, Post or Email. There are tutor-marked assignments (TMA’s) in every course. These help the student consolidate the learning he or she has done and prepare for examinations. All tutors have a local rate telephone number such as a 0845 number. This means that when you phone your tutor it will only cost you the price of a local call. Whilst you are still actively submitting assignments, you should expect to be in contact with your tutor regularly. Remember, to get the most out of your tutor, you will need to tell them when you need assistance.
Examinations:
There are currently over 300 testing centres across the country, so finding one close by is not very difficult. In December/January we contact you to start arranging your examination dates. We always try to give whatever help we can with examination information, but the entering of students for examinations and any dealings with the examination centre’s are entirely the responsibility of the student.
A Level Examination Fees:
On average the A Level examination fees are approximately £30 per exam but examination fees are at the discretion of the exam centre.
Studying from Abroad:
It is possible to study any of our courses from anywhere in the world. However some courses are easier to study from abroad than others and some restrictions to the type of tuition available apply. If you wish to study a GCSE or an 'A' level, then you will need to be able to return to the UK to take your examinations. Please remember that most of our GCSEs and 'A' levels have several examinations which may well be spread over several weeks.
