Psychology

A level psychology is defined as the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Students follow the AQA syllabus to explore a range of biological, psychological and social influences on behaviour. Psychologists apply the scientific method to gain evidential support for theories and students receive an excellent foundation in the research methods required. This makes psychology students very appealing to universities who recognise that students will already have a sophisticated understanding of how to design and conduct experiments, observations, interviews and content analysis. It is a myth that psychology is just about mental health, the discipline is concerned with the whole range of human behaviour. However, the clinical psychology, schizophrenia and forensic modules remain very popular. Students are taught be staff with several years’ experience of applying course content in both police and NHS settings. This gives the course a unique dimension that distinguishes psychology at Dene Magna from a typical course provider.

• Biopsychology
• Issues and Debates
• Schizophrenia
• Relationships
• Forensic Psychology
• Social influence
• Memory
• Attachment
• Approaches in Psychology
• Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
• Research methods

There is no coursework element to A level Psychology.  

3 exams, each 2 hours long.

Paper 1:  Introductory subjects in Psychology
Paper 2: Psychology in Context
Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology

We are proud to acknowledge that 2026 marks the year that students from the current form of Dene Magna Psychology A level are leaving University and embarking on careers as applied and academic psychologists.

Every year psychology students have gained places at universities ranked in the top 20 for the subject, with Exeter and Cardiff being especially well represented. We also have strong connections with Gloucester and Worcester Universities; where former students have thrived and helped build the reputation that Dene Magna consistently provides quality candidates. For example, former students have been influential in their psychological societies, and we support Worcester University with the training of new psychology teachers.

For students who do not pursue a psychology degree, careers in mental health nursing and counselling are also popular. However, the course develops competence across the range of academic skills: from developing a mature writing style to applying the logic of science to solve original problems. Therefore, students leave with both sophisticated insights into human behaviour and the skills needed to engage and compete in higher education and the workplace.

This link takes you to the AQA Psychology website